Abiotic stresses, particularly drought and elevated temperatures, are becoming increasingly frequent and severe due to climate change, substantially impacting plant physiological, biochemical, and metabolic processes. This study assessed the effects of drought, heat and their combination on Salvia rosmarinus (formerly Rosmarinus officinalis), while also evaluating the potential of foliar-applied chitosan as an elicitor and stress-mitigating agent. Key biochemical markers were analyzed, including photosynthetic pigments (total chlorophyll and carotenoids), osmoprotectants (soluble sugars and proline), and indicators of oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation). Secondary metabolism was evaluated through quantification of phenolic and essential oil profiles, as well as the antioxidant activity of green phenolic extracts. Combined drought and heat stress significantly increased oxidative damage and reduced chlorophyll content. The accumulation of osmoprotectants, particularly under drought and combined stress conditions, played a crucial role in stress mitigation. Notably, chitosan application alleviated pigment degradation, promoted the accumulation of soluble sugar, and substantially reduced oxidative damage. Multivariate analyses revealed that specific classes of secondary metabolites are differentially associated with each stress condition, suggesting that rosemary dynamically modulates both phenolic and essential oil composition in response to environmental cues. Under combined drought and heat stress, chitosan-treated plants exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity, with notable increases in rosmarinic acid—the major phenolic compound—and monoterpene hydrocarbons. Conversely, the biosynthesis of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes, and oxygenated sesquiterpenes was less responsive to both the combined stress and chitosan treatment. Overall, these findings underscore the potential of chitosan as a sustainable elicitor that not only enhances the phytochemical profile of rosemary by increasing key bioactive metabolites under stress but also improves abiotic stress tolerance, particularly under compounded environmental conditions.

Proper soil thematic maps are essential for developing effective soil nutrient strategies. This study aimed to demarcate soil nutrient properties and spatial variability across the Thirunallar region of Karaikal District through a digital survey, adopting a toposheet and base map from Sentinel 2 satellite data for sample collection in each grid (320-meter interval) at 0-15cm depth. The soil data were fitted into the model and layer maps were generated using ArcGIS (v 10.8.2) considering the Kriging function and the geostatistical method. The results revealed that soils were in the acidic to alkaline range (5.18 - 8.93), exhibited less saline (0.035 - 3.502 dS m^-1), and were low to high in SOC (0.24 - 1.41%), respectively. The available N ranged from low to high (142.80 - 739.20 kg ha^-1), while the range was medium to high for available P (15.33 - 98.44 kg ha^-1) and low to high for available K (90.18 - 493.42 kg ha^-1). Sulphur was reported to be in the medium to high range (9.94 - 99.67 mg kg^-1). Exchangeable properties were sufficient, as were micro-nutrient (Fe, Mn and Cu) levels, except for Zn. The coefficient of variation was reported to be high in soil EC (103.36%) and low for pH (10.87%). The efficiency of quantification with respect to the R² value and Root Mean Square Error provided explained variance and residuals in the derived model, and the majority of soil properties were best fitted for the spherical model. Semivariogram modelling indicates a strong spatial dependency (SpD) level. The anticipated dataset for each parameter showed the lowest RMSE, which accounted for soil EC and SOC (0.524; 0.154), and the R² values corresponded to good model fitting for SOC (0.984) and Cu (0.954). The SQI derived from the PCA underscores the fact that calcium and sulfur had a greater contribution towards soil quality. Thus, integrating spatial analytical data and the SQI provides better regional soil management practices, optimum fertilizer use and future sustainable practices.

The increased need for sustainable food preservation has fuelled interest in environmentally friendly, "zero-waste" methods for reducing post-harvest losses. This study created and tested three nanoemulsion-based edible coatings, HCB-OPE (orange peel extract), HCB-APE (apple peel extract), and HCB-SPE (spinach extract), which are made of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, chitosan, and beeswax and enriched with essential oils and polyphenols derived from agro-industrial byproducts. Mangoes were coated and kept at 4 ± 1°C for 13 days. The bioactivity of the coatings was established using physicochemical characterisation (zeta potential, FTIR, XRD, and AFM), and antioxidant and antibacterial testing (against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli). By day 13, HCB-OPE outperformed other coatings with lower weight loss (6.8% ± 0.06), higher stiffness (3.70 ± 0.04 kg/cm²), decreased decay (20.0% ± 0.9), lower ethylene production (5.10 ± 0.05 µg/g/h), and higher phenolic retention (1.12 ± 0.05 mg GAE/g FW). The barrier qualities of beeswax, HPMC, and chitosan, along with citrus-derived polyphenols (e.g., ferulic acid and hesperidin), with significant antioxidant and antibacterial activity, contribute to HCB-OPE's increased efficacy. Overall, our findings provide a sustainable and scalable technique for prolonging mango shelf life while adhering to circular bioeconomy and zero-waste principles.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is one of the most important cultivated legumes in
Africa, with an estimated global annual production of approximately 5.4 million metric tons
of dry seeds. However, in Morocco, cowpea remains a marginalized crop, traditionally grown
in a limited number of regions. Local landraces, maintained over generations by farmers, may
harbor substantial genetic and phenotypic diversity. The characterization of plant genetic
resources is essential for understanding phenotypic variation, assessing genetic relationships
among genotypes, and supporting their conservation and use in crop improvement programs.
This study aimed to evaluate the agro-morphological diversity of 19 traditional Moroccan
cowpea populations collected from various agro-ecological zones across the country. The
accessions were characterized using 20 morphological, phenological, and yield-related traits,
following the descriptor list established by the International Board for Plant Genetic
Resources (IBPGR, 1983). Our results revealed a high level of diversity both among and
within the studied landraces, with no clear association with their geographical origin. This
considerable phenotypic variability underscores the potential of these traditional varieties as
valuable genetic resources for cowpea breeding, particularly for traits related to adaptation to
local environmental conditions. Given that some morphological traits may be influenced by
environmental factors, further studies using molecular markers are recommended to validate
and refine the observed patterns of diversity.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.), a rich plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids, is being explored as a climate-resilient alternative crop in India. However, limited genetic variability and the absence of high-yielding cultivars constrain its wider adoption. To address this, a mutation breeding program was initiated using gamma irradiation (400, 500, and 600 Gy) on seeds of two varieties: white-seeded ‘Champion’ and black-seeded ‘Black selection-1’. The M₁ generation evaluation showed that increasing radiation doses led to reduced germination, delayed emergence, and suppressed seedling vigour, particularly in the black-seeded variety. Germination in Champion decreased from 88.50% (0 Gy) to 57.75% (600 Gy), and it decreased from 86.25% to 56.50% in Black selection-1. Successive mutant generations (M₂–M₆) revealed novel phenotypes, including bold seeds, pigmentation changes, crinkled foliage, altered spike architecture, and early flowering. Importantly, several M₆ lines exhibited a superior agronomic performance. Mutant line 94-1-1 recorded the highest yield of 2.46 kg/plot (1094.81 kg/ha), which represented an 80.68% increase over Champion (605.93 kg/ha) and 28.52% over Black selection-1 (851.85 kg/ha), with earlier maturity (104 days vs. 117 and 115 days). Other high-performing lines, such as 94-3-3 and 94-3-1, also showed yield improvements ranging from 65% to 70% over Champion, coupled with moderately reduced maturity durations (111–113 days). These findings highlight the effectiveness of gamma irradiation for inducing stable genetic variability and developing high-yielding, early-maturing varieties. This study underscores the potential of mutation breeding to develop superior Chia cultivars suited to Indian dryland and climate-vulnerable regions.

Climate change-driven water scarcity poses a major threat to horticultural productivity. This study explores rootstock grafting as a drought mitigation strategy in two major vegetable crops—tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). Drought-tolerant rootstocks were grafted with commercial scions and subjected to controlled drought stress. Grafted plants exhibited improved physiological performance, including higher relative water content, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), and stomatal regulation, compared to non-grafted controls. Gene expression analysis revealed significant upregulation of stress-responsive genes (e.g., DREB1, MAPK, PIP2;1) in the scion, indicating effective long-distance signaling and rootstock-induced stress priming. Proximate analysis of fruit revealed enhanced protein, fiber, and micronutrient content under stress. Yield assessments further confirmed superior fruit set and biomass in grafted plants under drought conditions. These findings underscore the role of rootstock–scion communication in stress adaptation and nutritional resilience, offering a viable approach to climate-smart vegetable production.

Indigenous leafy vegetables have significant potential for alleviating malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa. However, despite their well-documented nutritional value, their consumption remains limited due to negative perceptions and lack of awareness regarding their health benefits. This study investigated the traditional uses and local perceptions of Boscia salicifolia consumption in Burkina Faso. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 137 respondents.

The findings revealed that B. salicifolia is mainly found on hillsides (58%) and is primarily valued for its leaves, which are used both as human food and livestock fodder. In addition,roots and bark are used in traditional medicine. Consumption patterns varied by age: young people reported occasional use (54%), whereas older adults, particularly women (39%), consumed the leaves at least three times per week, reflecting greater awareness of their nutritional benefits. Older respondents emphasized health-promoting effects such as kidney cleansing (53%) and facilitating digestion (44%). In contrast, younger respondents mainly highlighted its role in alleviating hunger (70%) and treating stomach discomfort (41%). These age-related differences reveal a significant decline in traditional knowledge across generations.

This study underscores the nutritional and cultural importance of Boscia salicifolia and the generational shifts that limit its consumption. Addressing stigma, improving awareness among younger individuals, and conducting further research on its nutritional value are essential. Targeted awareness and community-based valorization efforts could promote its dietary integration, contributing to improved nutrition and food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ridged seedbed preparation is the most important procedure in cassava cultivation if mechanization is to be utilized in subsequent operations like planting, weeding and harvesting. Manual ridging is, however, characterized by high labour demands, requiring 108 man-days/ha compared to 2.44 to 3.33 h/ha for mechanized ridging. Weed infestation is a major challenge within cassava cropping systems, with yield losses varying between 40% and 94%. Manual weeding accounts for 50 to 80 percent of the overall production budget. The objective of this study was to develop a double-bottom mouldboard ridger and to evaluate its performance for ridging and weed control in cassava production. The implement was constructed from locally sourced materials using easily accessible manufacturing techniques. The developed mouldboard ridger was tested against a double-row disc ridger for draught, wheel slip, fuel consumption, weed control capacity, percentage crop damage and profile of constructed ridges. A techno-economic analysis was conducted on the two tractor-mounted ridgers to compare against the manual method for ridging and weeding. A hazard and operability study was also conducted on the double-bottom mouldboard ridger. The results showed a net draught force of 3.5kN and 6.0kN for the mouldboard and disc ridger, respectively, for weeding, while ridging recorded 5.4kN and 5.6kN. Fuel consumption for weeding was 4.6Ɩ/ha and 9.8Ɩ/ha for the mouldboard and disc ridger, respectively, while ridging recorded 5Ɩ/ha and 5.8Ɩ/ha. For weeding, wheel slips of 2.5% and 2.3% were recorded for the mouldboard and disc ridger, respectively, while ridging recorded 2.6% and 2.5%. Weed control capacities of 73.4% and 71.3% were recorded for the mouldboard and disc ridger, respectively. Crop damages of 7% and 8% were recorded for the mouldboard and disc ridger, respectively. There was no significant difference (p≥0.05) between the profiles of the ridges constructed with the two ridgers, with R² values of 0.9797 and 0.9762, respectively, for the mean profile of ridges constructed with the mouldboard ridger and disc ridger. The techno-economic study showed that to ridge a hectare of land, it took the mouldboard ridger 36.36 minutes at a cost of GHS 111.29, the disc ridger 40 minutes at a cost of GHS 129.1 and the manual method took 907.18 man-hours at a cost of GHS 6,236.75. To weed a hectare of cassava farm, it took the mouldboard ridger 38.22 minutes at a cost of GHS 102.36, the disc ridger 71.43 minutes at a cost of GHS 218.07 and the manual method 74.1 man-hours at a cost of GHS 3,087.5. A hazard and operability (HAZOP) study was conducted to establish possible deviations, causes and their consequences. Recommendations were made to ensure a hazard-free utilization of the implement. Further research is necessary to establish the effect of varying moisture contents on the performance of the mouldboard ridger. Research into the wear rate and durability of the share of the mouldboard ridger is also recommended. The effect of different soil types on the performance of the mouldboard ridger needs to be investigated.

Solanum quitoense Lam., locally known as chila, is an underutilized fruit-bearing species native to the Andean-Amazonian region, traditionally cultivated in home gardens and smallholder farming systems. Despite its high nutritional, agroecological, and climate resilience, chila remains an orphan crop with limited genetic and genomic resources. To address this gap, the Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza (UNTRM) launched a systematic program for the the collection and conservation of S. quitoense in the Peruvian Amazon region. The field expeditions, which covered all seven provinces of Amazonas, resulted in the establishment of a germplasm collection consisting of 31 distinct accessions, which are now conserved ex situ at UNTRM. This effort represents the first comprehensive initiative to document the genetic diversity of chila in this region. The accessions are currently undergoing molecular characterization using a combination of short- and long-read sequencing technologies. As part of this effort, we have begun assembling the complete chloroplast genome using long-read data, which will serve as a valuable genomic resource for phylogenetic and population studies. Future efforts will focus on nuclear genome sequencing and the development of molecular markers to support genetic diversity analysis, population structure inference, and the mapping of potential traits. These genomic tools will lay the foundation for pre-breeding and conservation strategies aimed at enhancing the crop’s resilience to biotic and abiotic stressors. This work is part of UNTRM’s broader program to promote the conservation, valorization, and sustainable use of native orphan crops from the Andean–Amazonian corridor. By unlocking the genetic potential of S. quitoense, we aim to contribute to the diversification of food systems, rural innovation, and climate adaptation in northern Peru.

This study investigated the drought resistance of barley landraces compared to modern cultivars, focusing on agro-morphological and physiological traits under controlled drought conditions. The experiment employed a two-factorial completely randomized design (CRD) with 17 barley landraces subjected to drought stress at three growth stages (tillering, jointing, and heading). Key parameters such as SPAD values (chlorophyll content), tiller number, root–shoot length, and yield attributes were measured and analyzed using drought tolerance indices. Six landraces reached maturity. Results revealed significant genotypic variation in drought response. Six landraces exhibited higher SPAD values under drought, indicating better photosynthetic retention. Notably, NBD 4 demonstrated high yield stability (Stress Tolerance Index, STI = 1.782) under both stress and non-stress conditions. At the same time, Saptari Local showed exceptional drought avoidance (low Stress Susceptibility Index, SSI = -0.068) through early maturity and minimal yield reduction. In contrast, genotypes like Muktinath and NGRC 6010 were susceptible to drought, with significant yield losses (49–87%). Physiological traits such as chlorophyll retention and phenological plasticity (e.g., accelerated maturity under stress) were critical for drought adaptation. The findings highlight the potential of landraces like NBD 4 and Saptari Local as genetic resources for breeding climate-resilient barley varieties. Ths study underscores the importance of integrating traditional landraces into modern breeding programs to enhance food security in drought-prone regions.