Agricultural Optimization through Radioactive Tracer Technology: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions

Radioactive tracer technology has emerged as a groundbreaking tool for advancing agricultural optimization, particularly in the study of physiological and biochemical processes in fruit crops. By utilizing isotopic tracers, researchers can achieve unparalleled precision in tracing nutrient pathways, imaging biological processes, and diagnosing molecular interactions. This review explores the diverse applications of this technology, including the optimization of nutrient uptake, the analysis of water transport systems, the enhancement of photosynthetic efficiency, and the management of pest-related challenges. Additionally, the study addresses the logistical, safety, and economic considerations surrounding the use of radioactive tracers in agricultural research. The integration of machine learning and advanced imaging techniques is highlighted as a pivotal development, amplifying the scope and effectiveness of radioactive tracer applications. Together, these innovations promise to revolutionize the understanding and management of crop systems, paving the way for sustainable and efficient agricultural practices

Impacts of Mangrove Loss on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

The mangrove vegetation within the Niger Delta region of Nigeria is ravaged by anthropogenic practices including but not limited to rapid urbanization, aquaculture expansion and oil exploration which penultimately distorts the biodiversity of both the mangrove and marine environments, culminating in the loss of structural and functional integrity of these ecosystems, specifically their role in climate change regulation. The study aimed at assessing the changes in mangrove covers from 1987 to 2022 in the study area as well as examining the changes in GHGs emissions resulting from the mangrove changes. The methodology adopted a remote sensing-based research design utilizing satellite imagery to analyze temporal changes in mangrove cover and evaluated their association with climate variables such as CO2 emissions and LST of the study area. Each satellite image geo-referenced in ArcGIS 10.8 & LULC changes calculated using geometry module of ArcGIS 10.8. NDIR spectroscopy was used in examining the variation in GHGs emissions. The data obtained revealed mangrove reduction from 12,991 km2 in 1987 to 9,089km2 in 2022 resulting in the loss of 3,904.00 km2 of mangrove forest. The reduction resulted in increased CO₂ emissions from 370.70 ppm to 403.29 ppm between 1987 and 2022. These results illustrate a clear link between mangrove cover change and CO₂ emissions, highlighting the critical role mangroves play in regulating climate change. The study was able to show that significant losses in mangrove cover have been closely associated with increased CO₂ emissions, thus reflecting the vital role these ecosystems play in carbon sequestration which underscores the importance of preserving these vital ecosystems to mitigate local and global climate impacts

Sustainable Urban Development in West Africa: A Rapid Review of Challenges and Opportunities

Background: The rapid urbanization witnessed across West Africa presents an urgent need to address sustainable urban development. Objective: This rapid review synthesizes the existing literature on the challenges and opportunities related to sustainable urban development in West Africa. It seeks to clarify the key factors influencing regional urban sustainability and identify practical pathways for policy and planning interventions. Methods: We reviewed peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2015 and 2025 identified through Web of Science, Environment Complete, Energy & Power Source, Engineering Source, Academic Search Ultimate, and CINAHL Ultimate. Of the 23 studies, 6 articles were selected for the review. A thematic analysis was then used to code and categorize the data, resulting in emergent themes showing the challenges and prospects for sustainable urban development. Results and Conclusion: The findings show that West African cities face formidable challenges, including under-resourced infrastructure, weak policy coordination, entrenched social inequalities, and mounting environmental pressures. Nevertheless, there are also promising opportunities, such as leveraging technological innovations to improve service delivery, implementing policy initiatives aimed at decentralization, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and integrating nature-based solutions into urban planning. Future research should broaden its geographic coverage and employ longitudinal or comparative methods to evaluate the long-term impact of policy and planning interventions

Study of Life Cycle of Ocimum Leaf Folder Orphanostigma abruptalis (Lepidoptera; Crambidae) on Sweet Basil in Ambient Condition

The Ocimum leaf folder, Ocimum abruptalis, is listed as a serious pest of sweet basil among all of the insect pests able to infect sweet basil (O. basilicum). The larvae do considerable damage to the plants by attaching to the underside of the leaf, folding it lengthwise from the midrib, and webbing it until it falls off.  The findings of this experiment revealed that the total life cycle of Ocimum leaf folder were completed in 25-36 days in laboratory conditions with incubation period of 3-6 days, larval period with 9-14 days, Pupal period with 4-6 days, total developmental period was 16-25 days and adult longevity was 9-12 days on fresh sweet basil leaves

Remote Sensing-Based Crop Identification and Acreage Estimation of Rabi Wheat in Anand, Gujarat

The Study evaluates the performance of supervised and unsupervised classification techniques for crop identification using Sentinel-2 imagery. Four supervised classifiers—Random Forest (RF), Minimum Distance (MD), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Smile Cart (sCART)—were assessed, with RF achieving the highest overall average accuracy (91%) and kappa value (87%) across two cropping seasons. The unsupervised classification method, utilizing the Isoclustering algorithm, recorded an average accuracy and kappa value of 84% in the first season and 80% in the second season. Acreage estimation revealed RF to be the most reliable, estimating 69,000 hectares (2019-20) and 64,000 hectares (2020-21), closely aligning with district statistical yield data. In contrast, sCART and SVM classifiers demonstrated lower accuracies of 46% and 36%, respectively. The study underscores RF's superiority in crop identification and acreage estimation, offering valuable insights for agricultural planning and management

Evaluation of Farming System Modules for Improving Profitability of Small Farmers in Coastal Odisha, India

The study evaluated the profitability, sustainability and environmental impact of integrated farming system (IFS) modules, including cropping systems, horticulture, dairy, poultry and fishery in an area of 1.2 ha, in coastal Odisha, India. This research project was part of the sixth production cycle under the All India Coordinated Research Project on IFS and conducted at the Central Research Station, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, during the 2022-23 agricultural year. The experiment integrated five major modules: cropping systems (0.32 ha), horticulture (0.31 ha), dairy (2 cross-bred cows), poultry (500 coloured chicken for meat) and fishery (0.40 ha). Productivity was assessed using rice equivalent yield (REY) and economic returns were calculated for each module. Sustainability was evaluated through sustainable yield indices and carbon footprint assessments, while soil quality parameters, such as bulk density, pH, organic carbon and available macronutrients, were monitored over six years. Dairy emerged as the most productive module, yielding the highest REY (15.14 t) and gross return (Rs.3,27,040). Horticulture recorded the highest net return (Rs.1,40,627) and benefit-cost ratio (3.61). The cost of production was mainly influenced by external inputs (52%), followed by labour (33%) and system-recycled inputs (15%). The system generated 399 man-days annually, with over half contributed by dairy. Environmental sustainability was achieved through agroforestry and compost application, making the model carbon-negative. Dairy was the largest greenhouse gas emitter, while horticulture and biomass contributed significantly to carbon sequestration. Over six years, soil quality improved, with reduced bulk density, increased water-holding capacity and enhanced organic carbon levels. Sustainable yield indices for four modules were above 0.6, with dairy showing the highest sustainability. Poultry performance required further improvement to enhance overall system sustainability. In conclusion, the integrated farming system enhanced overall productivity, profitability and environmental sustainability for smallholder farmers in coastal Odisha, showcasing its potential for resource optimization and resilience

Lotus Cultivation in Contaminated Water: Potential Risks and Solutions

This article explores the potential risks associated with lotus cultivation in polluted water sources and presents viable solutions to mitigate these challenges. Lotus cultivation plays a significant role in agriculture, providing economic, cultural, and medicinal benefits. However, the increasing contamination of water bodies due to industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and domestic waste poses serious risks to the safety and productivity of lotus farming. Toxic chemicals such heavy metals, pesticides, and infections can accumulate in lotus plants due to contaminated water, which can then have an impact on soil quality, marketability, and human health. Strategies such as water quality monitoring, phytoremediation, sustainable farming practices, and policy interventions are discussed to ensure the long-term sustainability and safety of lotus production. Farmers can embrace environmentally friendly practices while preserving their financial viability by highlighting the significance of safe growing techniques

Effect of Temperature Rise on Crop Growth and Productivity

The present study highlights the effect of temperature rise on crop growth and productivity. Improving crop resilience to temperature stress is a vital step towards ensuring global food and fuel demands are met. Temperature is a critical meteorological determinant of crop development and function. Essential physiological processes including carbon assimilation and leaf chlorophyll content are very sensitive to high temperature extremes. High-temperature stress occurs when morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes of plant development are altered. Flowering optimum temperature was 25-30 °C. higher temperature (both max. and min.) and low diurnal variation in temperature are more conducive for early flowering rice variety. Advances in molecular techniques now allow for swift identification of beneficial traits in wild varieties. It is crucial to adopt advanced agricultural practices worldwide to mitigate the impact of rising global temperatures. This includes implementing climate-smart strategies and employing high-throughput phenotyping  methods to identify and utilize resilient traits, thereby safeguarding future food security

A Comprehensive Review of Modern Technologies for Climate Resilient Agriculture

This review looks at how Indian agriculture and adaptation tactics are affected by climate change. Due to human activity, climate change is causing problems including extreme weather occurrences and rising temperatures. Increased temperatures have the potential to cause heat stress in crops, which lowers yields and results in lower-quality produce. Farmers employ climate-resilient crop development and planting date adjustments as adaptation strategies. Variable or irregular rainfall patterns can lead to drought conditions, which can dry out farmlands and result in crop failures. However, floods brought on by too much rain can harm crops and soil and cause disruptions to agricultural activities, particularly during the monsoon season. Initiatives for precision farming, urban food production, and soil conservation all support resource recycling and food security. Efficient water management and better irrigation are necessary to address water scarcity. The number of agricultural pests is impacted by climate change, endangering the world's food supply. Numerous adaptation tactics are used, such as socioeconomic initiatives, resource-conservation technologies, and traditional behaviours. Precision farming and other climate-smart agricultural technology boost resilience and yields. Regional appropriateness, economic feasibility, and group execution are all necessary for success. Agriculture is subject to climatic, economic, and policy risks in a complex socio-ecological system. Climate-smart agriculture methods that are site-specific are essential for the resilience and food security of smallholders. Adoption of these technologies can be aided by publicly offered agricultural extension services, but obstacles like budgetary limitations and cultural considerations need to be taken into account. This assessment highlights the necessity of comprehensive, context-specific strategies to address climate change vulnerabilities in Indian agriculture and guarantee a sustainable future for smallholder livelihoods and food production

Knowledge of Farmers on Climate Change: A Study among Farm Families of Jorhat District, Assam, India

The environment and the societies are under a great deal of stress due to climate change, which is one of the biggest problems of the present time. The present study aims to assess the level of farmers' understanding on climate change. The study was conducted in Jorhat district of Assam state, India. In this study a multistage sampling procedure was followed. Thirty per-cent development blocks of Jorhat district were selected purposively which included two blocks. Seventy five respondents were selected from each block by using equal allocation sampling technique and thus sample size was 150. Data were collected through Interview Schedule and a knowledge test and analysed using appropriate statistical tests i.e., frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, category interval, t-test and correlation coefficient. The study reveals that highest percentage (43.33%) respondents were in the age group of 41 to 51 years and were high school passed (52.00%). Regarding land holding, 54.67 per cent had 1-5 acres of land while 80.00 per cent had farming as primary occupation. Majority of the respondents had medium level of knowledge (72.67%) on climate change followed by 14.66 per cent with high and 12.67 per cent with low level of knowledge on climate change. The data revealed that respondents had greater understanding of the indicators, causes and effects of climate change compared to their knowledge on mitigation and adaptation strategies. In order to empower farmers for taking a proactive role in addressing climate change, it is essential to enhance farmers' knowledge on climate change, its causes, affects, management and adaptive capacity. Various stakeholders may come together for generating awareness among farmers regarding climate change and its management and may advocate for policy frameworks