Worldwide, nitrogen (N) is one of the most important and limiting factors of crop production. It is understood that increasing N rates decreases nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in crops, especially in indeterminate crops like cotton. Therefore, to elucidate the molecular regulatory mechanism essential for improving NUE in cotton, we used Illumina RNA-Seq to understand the genotypic variation in the transcriptomic profile of cotton genotypes, CCRI-69 (N-efficient) and XLZ-30 (N-inefficient), in response to N starvation and resupply. The responses of both cotton genotypes varied dramatically at the transcriptional level. The results revealed that genetic differences exist between CCRI-69 and XLZ-30, including nutrient transporters, photosynthetic pathways, antioxidants, transcription factors (TF), and hormone signaling-related genes. WRKY in roots and AP2/ERF in shoots were the most differentially expressed TFs in both cotton genotypes, followed by AP2/ERF and MYB, respectively. Numerous genes involved in phytohormones, N transporters, antioxidant stress, and photosynthetic pathways were upregulated in both roots and shoots of CCRI-69, which showed that CCRI-69 had a greater ability of N absorption and use efficiency than XLZ-30. Thus, we deduced that high expression of N transporters and high biomass production through photosynthesis could be attributed to the high N efficiency in CCRI-69. In addition, hormone signaling pathways and high antioxidant activities may also contribute to the genotypic difference between cotton genotypes differing in NUE. Moreover, the hub genes identified in the co-expression analysis may provide new insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the high N-efficiency in CCRI-69 and could be used for further breeding of N-efficient cotton genotypes.

The transformation of food systems is essential to addressing the growing threats posed by climate change, particularly for smallholder farmers who rely on rain-fed agriculture. In Nigeria, rice farmers are increasingly vulnerable to unpredictable weather patterns, making the adoption of adaptation practices critical for sustaining yields. This study investigates the determinants of adaptation adoption and its impact on rice productivity in Osun State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 100 rice farmers, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the endogenous switching regression model (ESRM), and augmented inverse probability weighting (AIPW) for robustness.
Findings show that about 59% of the farmers were male, with an average age of 49 years of age, a household size of 6.8, and a farm size of 3.07 hectares, yielding 1045.92 kg/ha. Results from ESR reveal that adopters achieved a 2% productivity increase relative to non-adopters. While low, this gain is meaningful in the context of rain-fed rice farming, where even small improvements in yield can translate into significant food security and income benefits at scale.
This study highlights the role of adaptive practices in strengthening resilience and recommends policies that subsidize inputs, improve extension services, and expand access to weather information systems. These targeted interventions can accelerate adoption and ensure that smallholder farmers are better equipped to cope with climate shocks, ultimately supporting sustainable food system transformation in Nigeria.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development created 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets, and was endorsed by all 191 United Nations (UN) in 2015. The main objective of these SDGs is to promote prosperity while protecting the planet [1]. This paper tries to project the idea to address more than half of the SDGs directly and the rest indirectly by working on just one area, i.e., farming. Farming that integrates the newest technology and sustainability throughout the crop cycle can help in achieving the SDGs. The SDGs that may be addressed directly through smart farming are Goal 1: No Poverty, Goal 2: Zero Hunger, Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Goal 10: Reduced Inequality, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal 13: Climate Action, Goal 15: Life on Land, and Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goals. To assist in addressing the mentioned SDGs, this paper suggests a suitable sustainable approach to be used at major stages of the crop lifecycle and then maps the Key Impact Areas of Farming onto the SDGs to show the impact of agriculture on the SDGs and that improving agriculture will impact SDGs the most.

Rice cultivation in the Saharanpur region of Western Uttar Pradesh, particularly for the paddy crop PB 112 during the 2022 season, is crucial for local food security but faces significant challenges in sustainable water and pesticide management. Traditional methods of irrigation and pest control are not only inefficient but also contribute to substantial environmental degradation through excessive water consumption and contamination from pesticide runoff. This study aims to address these challenges by investigating the application of advanced UAV-based spraying technologies, emphasizing the role of nozzle design in enhancing agricultural practices. A series of comprehensive field experiments were conducted to compare various UAV nozzle types, each engineered for optimized spray patterns and droplet sizes suitable for the unique topographical and canopy density variations in the region. These experiments utilized cutting-edge technology, including water flow meters and spectral sensors mounted on drones, to precisely measure the efficacy of each nozzle type in terms of water conservation and accurate pesticide distribution. Preliminary results from the trials indicate that specific nozzle types, particularly those capable of producing ultra-fine droplets, significantly reduce water and pesticide usage—by up to 40% compared to conventional spraying methods. The adoption of these specialized nozzles not only enhanced the targeted coverage area and improved absorption rates by the crops but also substantially minimized the environmental impact. This was evidenced by marked reductions in both runoff and evaporation losses, showcasing the potential of UAV technology to transform agricultural practices. The findings from this research highlight the critical importance of nozzle technology in optimizing UAV spraying applications, demonstrating its viability as a scalable solution for sustainable agriculture in regions suffering from water scarcity and environmental challenges like Saharanpur. This study contributes valuable insights into the design and implementation of precision agriculture tools that can lead to more sustainable cultivation practices and better resource management in agrarian communities.

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill), a major global source of vegetable protein and oil, requires sustainable growth-enhancing strategies to meet increasing agricultural demands. This study evaluates the biostimulant potential of Lantana camara Linn. flower extract (LcFE) on the growth and physiological attributes of soybean cultivar JS335. L. camara, an invasive weed, is a phytochemically rich species known to contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, and terpenoids, which positively influence plant growth. Fresh L. camara flowers were harvested from non-agricultural areas, cleaned, blot-dried, and mechanically ground to obtain crude pulp. The crude pulp was filtered through nylon cloth to extract LcFE, which was stored at 4°C until use. Five-dayold germinated seedlings were divided into six treatment groups: T1 (control) and T2 to T6 (10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% LcFE, respectively). LcFE treatments were applied via soil drenching at five-day intervals, repeated six times under controlled environmental conditions. On the 33^rd day after sowing, plant samples were evaluated for growth parameters including plant height, root length, leaf number, biomass (shoot and root), photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and POD). Among the treatments, 10% LcFE (T2) significantly enhanced shoot and root length, biomass, and photosynthetic pigment content. LcFE also improved antioxidant enzyme activities, contributing to improved plant health and vigor. These results demonstrate that L. camara flower extract acts as a promising eco-friendly and cost-effective biostimulant, promoting vegetative and physiological development in soybean plants. This study provides a scientific basis for integrating L. camara extract into sustainable legume production practices. Further studies are needed to validate its field efficacy, optimize dosage, and elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved under diverse agro-climatic conditions.

Due to its potential to increase crop yield and support sustainable farming methods, organic priming, the technique of treating seeds with advantageous naturally occurring substances or organic formulations before sowing, has drawn much interest in contemporary agriculture. Recent developments in organic priming have shown how it may boost nutrient availability and encourage plant growth, all of which increase yield. An experiment was conducted at the Vegetable Research Farm (Kalyanpur), Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208002, India, using a Randomized Block Design. The research was carried out oncoriander cv. Azad Dhania-1 during 2023-24 and 2024-25 by taking different priming treatments, viz. control (without priming), hydropriming for 24 h soaking, vermiwash (15% for 24 h soaking), cow urine (20% for 24 h soaking), panchgavya (20% for 24 h soaking), humic acid (20% for 24 h soaking), GA₃ (50 ppm for 24 h soaking)_, IAA (50 ppm for 24 h soaking), Cytokinin (100 ppm for 16 h soaking), KNO₃ (3% for 16 h soaking), and NaCl (4 gl^-1 for 16 h soaking). Precise results were obtained in panchgavya (20%) for the number of primary branches (7.61) and number of secondary branches (10.72), while, in humic acid (20%), thenumber of tertiary branches (4.06), number of umbel plant^-1 (42.94), number of seed umbel^-1 (41.88), raw seed yield plant^-1 (11.63 g), graded seed yield plant^-1 (10.48 g), raw seed yield plot^-1 (0.767 kg), graded seed yield plot^-1 (0.692 kg), raw seed yield ha^-1 (1534.72 kg), and graded seed yield ha^-1 (1383.84 kg) differed in the pooled compared to control samples. Thus, it may be concluded that priming with organics such as humic acid and panchgavya are more beneficial in achieving improved growth and yield in coriander.

In Morocco, livestock production faces significant challenges, such as drought and rangeland degradation, which reduce feed availability. To address this, alternative feed resources such as Vicia ervilia (bitter vetch) have been explored owing to their drought tolerance and ability to grow on poor soils. Bitter vetch is traditionally used for grain production, with a high protein content (~27% DM) and yields of up to 1 ton/ha, but its potential as a high-quality forage has been less studied. This study evaluated the expansion of bitter vetch use beyond grain, aiming to optimize cultivation practices for forage production under Mediterranean conditions in northern Morocco during the 2020/2021 season. A randomized block design with a split-plot arrangement tested three sowing dates (early, Dec 24; mid, Jan 10; late, Feb 1), four plant densities, and three ecotypes differing in flowering time (early, medium, and late). Plants were harvested at three flowering stages (start, full, and end), dried, ground, and analyzed for chemical composition, fiber fractions, and digestibility using standard methods. The results showed no significant effect of ecotype or sowing density on nutritive value, but sowing date influenced all measured parameters, and flowering stage affected fiber content (CF, ADF, cellulose) and dry matter digestibility. Early sowing reduced fiber content but did not lead to the highest organic matter digestibility, possibly due to fiber-digestibility relationships. Surprisingly, plants harvested at the start of flowering had the highest fiber content, and digestibility was lower at full flowering, potentially owing to inflorescence metabolites affecting rumen microbes. In conclusion, medium sowing combined with harvest at the start or end of flowering optimizes bitter vetch nutritional quality and fiber digestibility. These findings suggest that adjusting cultivation practices can enhance the value of bitter vetch as a sustainable alternative forage in drought-prone Moroccan regions, thereby supporting livestock production under challenging environmental conditions.

Today, more and more bioprocesses are being designed every day due to the high global demand to reuse/recycle/reduce (3R). This research is designed towards the agricultural need to treat olive mill wastewater (OMW) combined with crude glycerol under sterile/nonsterile conditions (to propose a bioprocess less in energy needed) and saline conditions (which can enhance the survival of Yarrowia lipolytica ACA YC 5031. During the experimental execution, microbial fermentation was performed in 250 mL ± 1 mL flasks in olive mill wastewater and water (blank fermentation). The culture conditions were 70.0 g/L crude glycerol (as a carbon source) and 1.0 g/L yeast extract – 1.0 g/L peptone (as a nitrogen source), and the whole cycle of fermentations was performed in 0 % - 7% - 9% salt content, pH=3, and under sterile/nonsterile conditions for 9 days. The results in OMW showed max: biomass – 11.20 g/L at 240 hours - OMW (7% salinity/sterile conditions), fat – 3.67 g/L at 240 hours – OMW (7% salinity/sterile conditions), phenol reduction – 33.10 % at 24 hours – OMW (9%/sterile conditions)/ with 46.67% color reduction, citric acid – 10.20 g/L at 240 hours – OMW (0% salinity/sterile conditions), erythritol – 19.90 g/L at 120 hours – OMW (7% salinity/non sterile conditions), mannitol – 2.50 g/L at 120 hours – OMW (7% salinity/sterile conditions). Overall, the experimental results indicated that both heat treatment and salinity conditions had an impact on the quantitative production of the metabolic products but also on the time that this phenomenon occurred during the fermentation. Promising is the increase in production of erythritol under nonsterile conditions in 7% salinity (compared to 0%), which can be proposed as a non-thermal treatment that requires less energy (meaning it is more economical).

The soil matrix is heterogeneous, so it is often very difficult to estimate solute transport through preferential flow. A better understanding of preferential water flow would benefit the understanding of soil's ecological and hydrological functions. Brilliant Blue FCF was used to characterize preferential flow in the Hayathnagar watershed in Hyderabad, India, to generate detailed information on soil preferential flow. The area was divided into three units: upper reach, middle reach, and lower reach. The upper reach area is 54 ha, the middle reach is 60 ha, and the lower reach is about 40 ha. A total of 21 profiles were dug to study preferential flow across different land uses and elevations. Nine representative soil profiles under different land uses (planted forest, fallow land, and cropped land at three elevations) were randomly selected for image analysis and further processing. At each site, two 1×1 m flat plots were selected, and an iron frame with a volume of 0.20 m³ and 0.5 cm thickness was embedded into the soil. The vertical profile of each layer was recorded with a digital camera. ArcGIS 10.3 was utilized to map and analyse spatial variations in preferential flow patterns across the watershed. By integrating soil profile data, land-use types, and elevation-based flow characteristics, geostatistical analysis helped visualize preferential flow distribution. This study observed that dye coverage was nearly 100% in the upper soil layer (5-10 cm) and decreased with depth, with varied flow behaviours across elevations. The middle reach exhibited the highest degree of preferential flow (0.32), followed by the upper reach (0.27) and lower reach (0.005), indicating that subsurface flow is largely influenced by landscape position. This study's findings provide crucial insights into how preferential flow influences water distribution, nutrient transport, and soil stability, enabling more effective water management, optimized agricultural practices, and improved soil conservation strategies.

The combined effects of subsurface drip irrigation (SDI), nitrogen (N) application, and plant growth regulator (PGR) application rates on the upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) performance in the Upper Southeast Coastal Plain remain poorly understood. This study aimed to enhance cotton productivity and economic returns by evaluating SDI strategies and their interactions with the PGR application rates, N management, and variety selection. Over three growing seasons (2019–2021), two experiments were conducted at the Tidewater Agricultural Research Center (TAREC) in Suffolk, Virginia. Experiment 1 explored the effect of three dripline spacings (0.91 m, 1.82 m, no irrigation), four PGR application rates (0%, 100%, 150%, 200%), and four cotton varieties, revealing significant impacts of the dripline spacing and PGR application rate on the lint yield and economic gains. The 1.82 m dripline spacing and 100% PGR application rate consistently produced superior lint yields and profits. Experiment 2 evaluated the effects of three irrigation strategies (0.91 m dripline spacing, 0.91 m dripline spacing + fertigation, no irrigation), three N application rates (89, 133, and 178 kg ha⁻¹), three PGR application rates, and two varieties, highlighting an optimal N application rate of 133 kg ha⁻¹ for increasing the lint yield in 2 of 3 years and the adverse effects of higher PGR application rates. The findings demonstrated the importance of employing tailored SDI systems integrating variety selection and adaptive management strategies. These results underscore the potential to improve cotton's productivity, profitability, and sustainability in diverse environments in the Southeast Coastal Plain and similar cotton-growing regions in the U.S.