Organic farming: Present status, scope and prospects in northern India

Organic agriculture has emerged as an important priority area globally in view of the growing consciousness for safe and healthy food, long term sustainability and environmental concerns despite being contentious in history. Green revolution although paved way for developing countries in self-sufficiency of food but sustaining production against the limited natural resource base demands has shifted steadily from “resource degrading” chemical agriculture to “resource protective” organic agriculture. The essential concept remains the same, i.e., to go back to the arms of nature and take up organic farming to restore the loss. Organic farming emphasizes on rotating crops, managing pests, diversifying crops and livestock and improving the soil. The rainfed areas particularly north-eastern regions where least or no utilization of chemical inputs due to poor resources provides considerable opportunity for promotion of organic farming thereby reflecting its vast but unexplored scope. However, significant barriers like yield reduction, soil fertility enhancement, integration of livestock, marketing and policy etc., arise at both macroscopic and microscopic levels; making practically impossible the complete adoption of ‘pure organic farming’; rather some specific area can be diverted to organic farming and thus a blend of organic and other innovative farming systems is needed. Adoption of Integrated Green Revolution Farming can be possible to a large extent, where the basic trends of green revolution are retained with greater efficiency and closer compatibility to the environment. This review paper attempts to present the recent global and regional scenario of organic farming particularly highlighting the scope, prospects and constraints in the northern areas

An empirical study of professional development of higher education teachers

The investigation was undertaken to study Professional development of Higher Education Teachers. This study examines university teachers and college teachers professional development (PD) on the basis of length of service. The 420 teachers participated in this study from  (University of Kashmir 120 and Govt. Recognized  Degree Colleges college  300). Random sampling technique was used with equal chance for every University and College teacher to get selected in the sample. For the purpose of present study, Professional Development Index Scale (PDIS) has been constructed by the investigator to measure the level of professional development of the subjects. Percentage, mean, standard deviation and t- test were used to analyze the data. While analyzing the  data significance of mean difference between University and college senior and junior teachers on various dimensions of Professional Development, the result depicts that both the groups turned to be significant on professional knowledge dimension. It means that university senior and college senior teachers possess better professional knowledge and professional ethics than their junior teachers. The results further reveal that university senior teachers are well versed with the subject matter and are more reflective in teaching learning process

Plant Responses to Global Climate Change and Urbanization: Implications for Sustainable Urban Landscapes

Global warming has led to irregular precipitation patterns and various abiotic and biotic stresses, resulting in unforeseen consequences for wildlife. Plant species are particularly vulnerable to these global climate changes, struggling to adapt to the increasing stressors. Urban environments exacerbate these challenges, further hindering plant survival and growth. The declining number of climate- and urban-tolerant plant species is a direct consequence of escalating stresses. However, resistance breeding approaches coupled with environmentally friendly technologies like biostimulants offer hope by expanding the pool of adaptable species. Urban vegetation plays a vital role in mitigating the urban heat island effect, supporting mental well-being among residents, and preserving biodiversity. In this study, we comprehensively review recent research findings on these topics with a focus on publications from the past 5 years. Emphasizing stress-tolerant ornamental urban plants including trees and herbaceous species becomes crucial for establishing sustainable living practices. By incorporating resilient plant varieties into urban landscapes, we can enhance ecological balance while improving the overall quality of urban environments for both human inhabitants and wildlife populations

Elucidating the Impact of Priming Substrates on Seedling Survival and Seed Quality of China Aster

Germination and seed quality of China aster are crucial features that affect seedling survival and establishment when seeded directly in a field. Moreover, freak weather events in changing climate scenarios and biotic stress have often resulted in poor seedling quality and survival of China aster. Subsequently, the impact of a range of priming techniques on germination, seedling survival and growth of cv. Powderpuff of China aster newly introduced in Kashmir valley was scrutinized at the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory. Seeds were subjected to two treatment methods (3 hydro-priming and 2 halo-priming), constituting a total of six treatment combinations (T0–T5) in CRD (completely randomized design), with four replications. The analyzed variables were seedling survival percentage, germination percentage, seedling collar diameter, seedling fresh weight, shoot–root ratio and the number of leaves/seedling. The analyzed data on the influence of priming treatments on germination percentage are depicted, showing that different priming agents have a significant influence on pre- and post-germination attributes. Significantly, maximum germination percentage (87.50%), seedling survival percentage (81.95), seedling fresh weight (0.0031 g), seedling collar diameter (0.101 cm), number of leaves seedling−1 (7.01) and shoot–root ratio (1.044) were recorded in treatment T5 (2% KNO3 18 h) and minimum (42.50) in case of control (T0), i.e., un-primed seeds. Halo-conditioning with KNO3 for 12 h significantly improved germination percentage, seedling survival percentage, seedling diameter, leaf number per seedling and shoot–root ratio. In conclusion, KNO3 played a vital role in the establishment and survival of seedlings in the field, under Kashmir conditions

Clinico-Pathological Importance of miR-146a in Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a well-known malignant tumor of the respiratory tract, which has caused a significant level of damage to human health in the 21st century. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are tiny, non-coding RNA stem-loop structures with a length of roughly 20–25 nucleotides that function as powerful modulators of mRNA and protein products of a gene. miRNAs may modulate many biological processes involving growth, differentiation, proliferation, and cell death and play a key role in the pathogenesis of various types of malignancies. Several accumulating pieces of evidence have proven that miRNA, especially miR-146a, are crucial modulators of innate immune response sequences. A novel and exciting cancer research field has involved miRNA for the detection and suppression of cancer. However, the actual mechanism which is adopted by these miRNA is still unclear. miRNAs have been used as a cancer-associated biomarker in several studies, suggesting their altered expression in various cancers compared to the normal cells. The amount of expression of miRNA can also be used to determine the stage of the disease, aiding in early detection. In breast, pancreatic, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and gastric cancer, cancer cell proliferation and metastasis has been suppressed by miR-146a. Changes in miR-146a expression levels have biomarker importance and possess a high potential as a therapeutic target in lung cancer. It retards epithelial-mesenchymal transition and promotes the therapeutic action of anticancer agents in lung cancer. Studies have also suggested that miR-146a affects gene expression through different signaling pathways viz. TNF-α, NF-κB and MEK-1/2, and JNK-1/2. Further research is required for understanding the molecular mechanisms of miR-146a in lung cancer. The potential role of miR-146a as a diagnostic marker of lung cancer must also be analyzed. This review summarizes the tumor-suppressing, anti-inflammatory, and antichemoresistive nature of miR-146a in lung cancer

Navigating the future : exploring technological advancements and emerging trends in the sustainable ornamental industry

Technological advances have played a critical role in the production of flower crops, enabling farmers to maximize yields and reduce losses while also improving the quality of flowers. These advances have included the development of new breeding techniques, such as molecular marker-assisted breeding, and the use of modern technologies like high-throughput phenotyping to identify and select superior cultivars. In addition, precision farming techniques, such as the use of sensors and remote monitoring systems, have made it possible to closely monitor crop growth and optimize inputs like water and fertilizer, leading to higher yields and improved resource efficiency. Advancements in biotechnology have also resulted in the development of transgenic plants that are resistant to pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and improving plant health. Modern molecular genetic tools, particularly genome editing with CRISPR/Cas9 nucleases, are emerging in addition to conventional approaches of investigating these plants. Furthermore, the use of novel growing systems, such as hydroponics and vertical farming, has allowed for year-round flower production in controlled environments, mitigating the challenges associated with seasonal changes and climate variability. These innovations have also made it possible to produce high-quality flowers in urban areas, bringing fresh blooms closer to consumers. Overall, technological advances in flower crops have revolutionized the floriculture industry, enabling growers to produce high-quality flowers in a more sustainable and efficient manner. These advancements have not only improved the productivity and profitability of flower farming but have also contributed to the conservation of natural resources and the protection of the environment.Peer reviewe