Crop load management is becoming increasingly important as a factor related to continued yields, better quality, higher shelf life, and return bloom in apples, particularly under intensive planting systems. In recent years, apple orchardists across J&K (UT) have shifted to high-density apple orcharding predominated by Super Chief and Redlum Gala cultivars. However, these cultivars bear heavily as a result consistent yield and quality become prime issues in addition to orchard longevity. To standardize the crop management practice in the cultivars as mentioned above, an experiment was laid at the farmer's field comprising both chemical and non-chemical methods from 2021-22 and 2022-23. Trees were trained as tall spindle treated with uniform cultural practices as recommended in packages and practices of SKUAST-K. Results revealed that average yield/tree (kg) varied significantly in both Redlum Gala and Super Chief. In Redlum Gala, the highest yield was obtained in T3 (31.40 kg/plant) followed by 30.50 kg/tree in T8, and the lowest yield/tree (24.433) was obtained in T9. However, in Super Chief, the highest average yield/tree (30.50kg) was obtained by employing hand thinning @ 6 fruits/cm2 TCSA at 25-30 mm fruitlet stage (T7) while the lowest yield/tree (21.933kg) was obtained under no-thinning treatment (T9). Similarly, crop load management practices had a significant effect on the quality of both Redlum Gala and Super Chief. The highest quantity of Fancy Grade (3.53kg/tree), and A-grade (24.53 kg/tree) in Redlum Gala resulted in T3 and T8 respectively whereas, the least quantity of B-grade (1.57kg/tree), and C-grade (0.70 kg/tree) were obtained in T8 and T7 respectively. In Super Chief, yield/tree of Fancy grade and C-grade apples varied non-significantly among various treatments although better results in terms of fancy grade yields were obtained under T7 (3.73 kg/tree). Yields of A-grade apples varied significantly with maximum yield under T7 (24.133 kg/tree). Hand thinning @ 6 fruit/cm2 TCSA resulted in the least quantity of C-grade apples (1.0 kg/tree) in Super Chief cultivar. Pygmy fruit quantity varied non-significantly between T4, T5, and T7. In case of Redlum Gala, T7 was found most economical intervention in terms of BC ratio (2.21) followed by T1(2.20). Similarly, in the case of Super Chief cultivar, T7 was found as the best intervention in terms of B:C ratio (2.52). Significantly at par increase in the percentage of return bloom in Redlum Gala was observed under T8 (6.40%), T7 (6.13%), T1 (5.567%), and T5 (3.50%). The maximum decrease in return bloom in case of Redlum Gala cultivar was observed under T9 (-9.70%) followed by T6 (-5.23%). Different treatments resulted in significantly varied responses in terms of return bloom percentage in Super Chief. T7 resulted in the highest increase in return bloom (11.63%) however, no treatment resulted in a decrease in the percentage of return bloom except control (-15.30%).

Urban agriculture is emerging as an inevitable solution to address food security, sustainability, and community resilience in rapidly growing cities. However, the potential of community-based urban farming is often limited by challenges such as resource management, decision-making inefficiencies, and a lack of coordinated support systems. This article explores the transformative impact of data-driven decision support systems (DSS) on urban agriculture networks. These technologies enable local farmers to make well-informed decisions about crop selection, resource allocation, pest management, and yield optimization by combining sophisticated data analytics, real-time monitoring, and predictive modelling. We look at how data-driven strategies improve sustainability practices, increase operational efficiency, and promote cooperation in urban farming communities. We also show examples of how DSS has effectively facilitated resource sharing, community involvement, and scalability in urban agriculture projects. The paper concludes by showing how technology may fully realize the potential of urban agriculture, opening the door to more resilient, sustainable, and food-secure urban areas.

The management of soil-borne pathogens like Rhizoctonia solani is challenging due to their complex biology and limited availability of effective active ingredients. Eco-friendly methods, such as biological control, are essential for disease prevention and maintaining soil health. This study evaluated the antagonistic activity of actinobacteria for the management of collar rot and web blight in cowpea. Among 50 actinobacterial isolates, 12 produced ammonia, nine produced siderophores, and none produced HCN in vitro. Ten isolates exhibited antagonistic activity against Rhizoctonia solani under dual culture method. Five actinobacterial consortia were tested in planta against Rhizoctonia solani in cowpea, with comparisons to KAU PGPR Mix-2 and Carbendazim (0.1%). Treatment with consortium 3 (CR-3 and S2-2) recorded significantly higher yield and lower incidence of collar rot, which also exhibited higher per cent inhibition of R. solani (63.7% and 70.3%) in vitro. Per cent Disease Index (PDI) of web blight was significantly lower (19.4%) in the same treatment and this was comparable to chemical control (Carbendazim). Identification by 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the isolates CR-3 and S2-2 were closely related to Streptomyces pratensis and Streptomyces cinereus, respectively. These results suggest that actinobacteria could be exploited as a potential alternative to chemical pesticides.

Pearl millet is an important staple food crop in India, but its flour is not properly utilized due to rancidity that develops during storage. The processing methods could be many, but they are not so effective. So, the best way to increase longevity in pearl millet flour is by identifying best suitable genotypes and developing hybrids. Knowledge of genetic variability, genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability, correlation and analysis of path of yield contributing traits is important for efficient planning of crop improvement programmes. The present investigation was conducted to evaluate 60 seed parents of pearl millet in a Randomized Block Design with two replications. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes for all the traits under investigation thereby indicating the existence of substantial genetic variation among genotypes for all the yield and its contributing traits. Vigour index exhibited high correlation coefficient, while comprehensive peroxide value on 10th day along with other traits had direct effects with respect to grain yield, in the desired direction indicated that these traits could be effective in crossing programmes to develop promising maintainer lines with longer shelf life.

Mango dieback caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae is a grave disease affecting the fruit quality and quantity. Numerous disease management options are available nowadays, with chemical control being the most efficient option while biopesticides present the most environment-friendly alternative in controlling various crop diseases. With this objective, chemical and biological control of Lasiodiplodia theobromae was assessed in the present study using the three most virulent isolates of the pathogen collected from three different mango varieties and three different districts of Kerala. The in vitro evaluation of fungicides revealed that the fungicides viz., hexaconazole, azoxystrobin, Bordeaux mixture and carbendazim + mancozeb showed 100 per cent inhibition of the virulent pathogen isolates, while difenoconazole had inhibition in the range of 96.10-100 per cent, copper hydroxide in the range 68.14-88.88 per cent and propineb in the range 33.88-79.25 per cent. Among the biocontrol agents, Trichoderma asperellum and plant growth promoting microorganisms caused inhibition in the range 41.88-51.33 per cent and 14.82-48.66 per cent respectively against three virulent isolates of the pathogen while Pseudomonas fluorescens had zero per cent inhibition.

The present study has examined the growth and instability of the area, production, and wheat yield in the Bundelkhand region in Uttar Pradesh during 2000-2023. The study employed secondary time series data compiled from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of India. The results indicate that the growth rate of wheat cultivation maintained a positive in the area, production, and productivity and was statistically significant in Bundelkhand and Uttar Pradesh. It also estimated the relative contribution of the area and yield to change in output by decomposition analysis. The highest area effect was observed during Period II (74.04 per cent), with a yield and interaction effect of 21.45 and 4.28 per cent, respectively, in the state. During the entire study, instability indices revealed that most districts registered low and high instability. In Bundelkhand, agriculture is largely rain-dependent, and the yield of wheat crops is very sensitive to variations in rainfall. The analysis further suggests the role of irrigation, modern inputs, and fertilizer in boosting agricultural growth and productivity and reducing variability.

Seed biopriming, a pre-sowing treatment utilizing beneficial microorganisms, has emerged as an environmentally sustainable approach to enhance plant growth and productivity. This study evaluates the impact of biopolymer-based seed biopriming on the growth promotion of rice. Rice seeds were treated with 0.5% sodium alginate and 1% lignosulfonate, in combination with the bioagents Bacillus subtilis and Azospirillum zeae, and assessed through a pot culture experiment. Monthly observations revealed that population of Bacillus subtilis and Azospirillum zeae were significantly higher in treatments with bioprimed seeds. Plant growth parameters, such as plant height and the number of tillers, were comparable in sodium alginate and lignosulfonate treated seeds. However, yield parameters, including grain weight and panicle number, were highest in seeds treated with lignosulfonate. These results confirm that biopolymer-based seed biopriming, particularly with lignosulfonate, effectively promotes rice plant growth and yield compared to control and talc-based consortia treatments, offering a promising alternative for sustainable agriculture.