Analysis on knowledge level of recommended plant protection technologies in areca nut (Areca catechu) cultivation in Salem district of Tamil Nadu

Areca nut (Areca catechu) is one of the important cash crops in India. India ranks first in terms of area and production of areca nut and accounts of 54.07 per cent of its world production. The harvesting of nuts commence on the Tamil month of ‘Thai’ (Mid-January to Mid-February) and spread over six months in carrying out the post-harvest practices and marketing of nuts. This study was purposively conducted in Salem district 2018-2019 and occupies first position in area (2,421 hectares) of areca nut in Tamil Nadu. The Peddanackenpalyam, Valapddy, Gengavalli and Attur blocks were selected based on the 87.28 per cent of the area under areca nut in this district with a sample size of 120 areca nut farmers selected by using a proportionate random sampling technique. Most of the respondents (80.00 per cent) had knowledge level of medium to high level of knowledge on the recommended plant protection technologies in areca nut cultivation. It was mainly due to the medium to the high level of information seeking behaviour and social participation. The study revealed that the areca nut growers differed widely in their social characteristics. Most of the respondents had a medium to a high level of knowledge on recommended technologies in areca nut cultivation. This finding stressed the importance of formulating different extension strategies for different audiences by the change agency system.

A comprehensive review on phytochemistry, pharmacology and therapeutic applications of Rosa damascena Mill.

Rosa damascena, commonly known as the Damask rose, is a plant of beauty and medicinal significance. This review explores its botanical characteristics, chemical composition and diverse pharmacological activities. Rosa damascena rich in phytochemicals like anthocyanins, flavonoids and essential oils and demonstrates a wide range of therapeutic properties. Studies have shown its potential in antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory applications. The plant also shows promise in promoting cardiovascular health, respiratory issues and neurological functions. Its relaxing and soothing properties make it valuable in aromatherapy and stress management. Clinical studies support its efficacy in treating conditions such as sexual dysfunction, pain and apnea in premature newborns. While current evidence is promising, further research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action, optimize dosages and explore potential drug interactions. This comprehensive review underscores the significant therapeutic potential of Rosa damascena in complementary and alternative medicine

Unlocking the Secrets of Pheromones: Reproductive and Social Communication in Domestic Mammals

Pheromones play a pivotal role in the reproductive and behavioural management of livestock, influencing various physiological and behavioural responses within and across species. This review explores the application of pheromones in cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs, and equines, highlighting their significant impact on reproductive efficiency, stress reduction, and animal welfare. In cattle, pheromones are essential for estrus detection and the enhancement of maternal bonding. Similarly, in buffaloes, urinary pheromones have been identified as markers for estrus detection, aiding in overcoming the challenge of silent ovulation, while also contributing to penis erection and sperm quantity enhancement. In small ruminants such as sheep and goats, the "male effect" accelerates puberty and synchronizes estrus, which is crucial for optimizing breeding cycles. In pigs, the presence of boars accelerates puberty in gilts and reduces postpartum anestrus in sows, enhancing reproductive outcomes. Equines benefit from appeasing pheromones, which alleviate stress in foals and adult horses, particularly during transportation and other stressful events. The synthesis and application of synthetic analogs of these pheromones have demonstrated practical benefits in animal husbandry, offering promising avenues for improving reproductive performance and animal welfare. However, despite these advancements, the identification and characterization of specific pheromones across different species remain incomplete. Future research should focus on the molecular identification of these pheromones, their mechanisms of action, and the development of innovative applications to further enhance their utility in animal management

Foliar fertilization: a key strategy for enhancing growth and bio productivity in flower crops

The foliar application of nutrients in flower crops is gaining popularity as an efficient agronomic practice that involves spraying nutrient solutions directly onto plant leaves for quick absorption of nutrients. This technique is especially for flower crops, where the quality and aesthetics of blooms are critical. The issues like nutrient leaching and soil fixation, can be bypassed by foliar fertilization ensures that essential nutrients are quickly available to plants, leading to rapid growth responses. It is also effective in addressing micronutrient deficiencies, as these elements are often immobilized in the soil. Foliar sprays can supply both macro and micro nutrients, though careful formulation and application frequency are necessary to avoid phytotoxicity. Research indicates that floral excellence, colour intensity and shelf life are improved through foliar application. Moreover, it can be used to deliver growth regulators and plant protectants, enhancing crop performance and resilience against pest and diseases. Despite its benefits, the successful adoption of foliar fertilization requires attention to technical aspects such as nutrient formulation, concentration, timing and environmental conditions to optimize nutrient uptake and improve physiological responses. Emerging trends such as use of Nano fertilizer, offer promising results in enhancing nutrient delivery, improving flower quality and yield. This review synthesizes recent research findings to provide a comprehensive guide on effective foliar practices that can boost flower production, productivity and sustainability

Genetic variability and trait association studies in celosia accessions for growth and yield characters

Improving the yield and other characteristics of a crop requires an understanding of the type and extent of variability present in the plant material as well as the relationships between the traits. This study focuses on thirty-five accessions of Celosia species, evaluated for genetic variability in 19 quantitative and qualitative traits, to understand the associations between these characters and their contribution to flower yield. The objective of the work was to investigate the genetic variability and association between traits to rationally improve the yield of Celosia species. The data used in this study were assessed at 70 days after transplanting (DAT) to complete flowering in all Celosia accessions for its growth and yield. From the results of the analysis, the trait, single flower weight had the larger estimates of GCV (41.9 %) and PCV (46.29 %) of all parameters that were recorded. For most traits examined, higher estimates of heritability were recorded, particularly for plant spread (E-W) (99 %), while significant genetic advance per mean was in single flower weight (78.14 %). Leaf length (0.34) and seed weight (0.81) showed a significant positive correlation with the number of flowers per plant, indicating strong potential for increasing yield. The parameters like plant height (0.8132) and leaf length (0.7602) had the most direct impact on flower yield, according to the path analysis results. Based on this conclusion, it appears that Celosia species can be improved by analyzing the features acquired from selection criteria based on genetic parameters and employing them for improved crop yield in future breeding works

Effect of different packaging methods and storage conditions on postharvest quality and shelf-life of Manila Tamarind (Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth.) var. PKM2

Manila tamarind (Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth.), is a dry land fruit crop that belongs to the Fabaceae family commonly known Camacchile or Jungle jilebi. Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) has the potential to become productive under harsh climatic and edaphic conditions of dry land areas but its pods have a shorter shelf life. The most important objective was to use proper packaging methods to reduce moisture loss, slow down physiological and biochemical changes and prevent spoilage. The study evaluated 8 packaging methods, including different combinations of CFB (Corrugated Fiberboard) lined with 100-gauge polythene film with 0 %, 5 % and 10 % vents, CFB with 0 %, 5 % and 10 % vents, vacuum packing and a control, under cold storage (13-15 °C) and ambient conditions (26 ± 2 °C). On the 15th day of cold storage conditions, vacuum packing showed minimum physiological loss of weight (19.82 %), titratable acidity (0.68 %), ascorbic acid (77.20) and total sugar (8.36 %). Maximum total soluble solids (15.32 ?Brix), Anthocyanin (22.72 mg 100 g-1 m), shelf life (15 days) followed by CFB with 10 % vent. On the 12th day of ambient storage condition, vacuum packing recorded minimum physiological loss of weight (16.42 %), titratable acidity (0.42 %), ascorbic acid (76.13) and total sugar (8.53 %). Maximum total soluble solids (14.93 ?Brix), Anthocyanin (21.83 mg 100 g-1 m) and shelf life (11.5 days) followed by CFB with 10 % vent. In this study, the overall results indicated that both vacuum packaging and CFB with 10 % vent at cold storage had synergistic effect in manila tamarind fruit pods, not only in extending the shelf life but also maintained the physiological and biochemical attributes of manila tamarind

Nanotechnology in floriculture: Extending vase life and improving postharvest quality

Cut flowers are traditionally used worldwide, regardless of caste, creed, and religion, especially in Asian countries. The global trade of cut flowers has shown a substantial increase in recent years and is expected to persist due to the promotion and application of horticulture plants for their various advantages . The quality of vase life is critical in ensuring customer satisfaction and encouraging repeat purchases. Effective postharvest management is essential for enhancing the quality and extending the shelf life of cut flowers. With proper handling, cut flowers can last several days in a vase. Nanotechnology presents innovative solutions for postharvest management, especially in the cut flower sector. Specifically, Nanoparticles have been utilized in packaging to act as ethylene inhibitors and antimicrobial agents, contributing to the extension of cut flower vase life. One of the strongest ethylene perceptions is 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), a gaseous and nontoxic that binds to ethylene receptors irreversibly, blocking the action of ethylene. Nano-Silver particles improve postharvest longevity by increasing water absorption rather than transpiration. Additionally, Nano-Selenium enhances the water balance in cut flowers. This review describes how nanoparticles suppress microbial growth and block ethylene action in cut flowers, extending their vase life

Enhanced health facility surveys to support malaria control and elimination across different transmission settings in the Philippines

Following substantial progress in malaria control in the Philippines, new surveillance approaches are needed to identify and target residual malaria transmission. This study evaluated an enhanced surveillance approach using rolling cross-sectional surveys of all health facility attendees augmented with molecular diagnostics and geolocation. Facility surveys were carried out in three sites representing different transmission intensities: Morong, Bataan (pre-elimination), Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro (stable medium risk), and Rizal, Palawan (high risk, control). Only one rapid diagnostic test (RDT)–positive infection and no PCR confirmed infections were found in Bataan and Occidental Mindoro, suggesting the absence of transmission. In Palawan, the inclusion of all health facility attendees, regardless of symptoms, and use of molecular diagnostics identified 313 infected individuals in addition to 300 cases identified by routine screening of febrile patients with the RDT or microscopy. Of these, the majority (313/613) were subpatent infections and only detected using molecular methods. Simultaneous collection of GPS coordinates on tablet-based applications allowed real-time mapping of malaria infections. Risk factor analysis showed higher risks in children and indigenous groups, with bed net use having a protective effect. Subpatent infections were more common in men and older age-groups. Overall, malaria risks were not associated with participants’ classification, and some of the non-patient clinic attendees reported febrile illnesses (1.9%, 26/1,369), despite not seeking treatment, highlighting the widespread distribution of infection in communities. Together, these data illustrate the utility of health facility–based surveys to augment surveillance data to increase the probability of detecting infections in the wider community

Armadillo 1.1: An Original Workflow Platform for Designing and Conducting Phylogenetic Analysis and Simulations

In this paper we introduce Armadillo v1.1, a novel workflow platform dedicated to designing and conducting phylogenetic studies, including comprehensive simulations. A number of important phylogenetic and general bioinformatics tools have been included in the first software release. As Armadillo is an open-source project, it allows scientists to develop their own modules as well as to integrate existing computer applications. Using our workflow platform, different complex phylogenetic tasks can be modeled and presented in a single workflow without any prior knowledge of programming techniques. The first version of Armadillo was successfully used by professors of bioinformatics at Université du Quebec à Montreal during graduate computational biology courses taught in 2010–11. The program and its source code are freely available at: <http://www.bioinfo.uqam.ca/armadillo>

Enhanced health facility surveys to support malaria control and elimination across different transmission settings in The Philippines

Abstract Following substantial progress in malaria control in the Philippines, new surveillance approaches are needed to identify and target residual malaria transmission. This study evaluated an enhanced surveillance approach using rolling cross-sectional surveys of all health facility attendees augmented with molecular diagnostics and geolocation. Facility surveys were carried out in 3 sites representing different transmission intensities: Morong, Bataan (pre-elimination), Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro (stable-medium risk) and Rizal, Palawan (high risk, control). Only 1 RDT positive infection and no PCR confirmed infections were found in Bataan and Occidental Mindoro suggesting the absence of transmission. In Rizal, inclusion of all health facility attendees, regardless of symptoms, and use of molecular diagnostics identified an additional 313 infected individuals in addition to 300 cases identified by routine screening of febrile patients with RDT or microscopy. Of these, the majority (313/613) were subpatent infections and only detected using molecular methods. Simultaneous collection of GPS coordinates on tablet-based applications allowed real-time mapping of malaria infections. Risk factor analysis showed higher risks in children and indigenous groups, with bednet use having a protective effect. Subpatent infections were more common in men and older age groups. Overall, malaria risks were not associated with patient status and some of non-patient clinic attendees reported febrile illnesses (1.9%, 26/1369) despite not seeking treatment highlighting the widespread distribution of infection in communities. Together, these data illustrate the utility of health-facility based surveys to augment surveillance data to increase the probability of detecting infections in the wider community