Yam (Dioscorea sp.) is a popular tuber in Cameroon, where it is grown for both food and income. One of the most challenging aspects of the long-term storage of yam tubers is post-harvest spoilage, often caused by fungi. The use of post-harvest chemicals on yam tubers is not a matter of course. The present study evaluated the efficacy of aqueous extract and powder of Zingiber officinale against fungi associated with the storage rot of yam. The fungi were isolated from two yam cultivars, “Calabar” and “Ghana”, from three localities in Cameroon. The antifungal activity of the aqueous extract and ginger powder was studied in vivo on slices of yam tubers. The results obtained showed that eight fungi were associated with yam tubers and exhibited typical rotting symptoms. The most prevalent and virulent fungus was Penicillium sp., which caused decay volumes of 12.76 cm³ and 8.74 cm³ for “Calabar” and “Ghana” cultivars, respectively. Fungal spoilage was greatly reduced by the application of aqueous extract and ginger powder. The aqueous extract tested at the 30% dose was more effective with up to 80% inhibition. However, the ginger powder was more effective against Penicillium sp., Aspergillus niger, and Colletotrichum sp. associated with rot in the variety “Ghana” with total inhibition (100%). Therefore, the aqueous extracts and powder of Zingiber officinale can be used as a bio fungicide to improve the shelf life of yam tubers.

Low temperature is one of the most significant environmental factors that threaten the survival of subtropical and tropical plant species. By conducting a study, which was arranged in a completely randomized design with three replicates, the relative freezing tolerance (FT) of four Iranian pomegranate cultivars, including ‘Alak Torsh’, ‘Tabestaneh Torsh’, ‘Poost Sefid’, and ‘Poost Syah’, as well as its correlation with some biochemical indices, were investigated. From each cultivar, pieces of one-year-old shoot samples were treated with controlled freezing temperatures (−11, −14, and −17 ℃) to determine lethal temperatures (LT₅₀) based on survival percentage, electrolyte leakage, phenolic leakage, and tetrazolium staining test (TST) methods. Results showed that FT was higher in the second year with a lower minimum temperature and a higher concentration of cryoprotectants. The stronger correlation of electrolyte leakage with survival percentage (r = 0.93***) compared to the other three indices explained that this index could be the most reliable injury index in determining the pomegranate FT to investigate freezing effects. Of all four cultivars, ‘Poost Syah’ was the hardest by presenting a higher FT than ~ −14 ℃ in mid-winter. Accordingly, this pomegranate cultivar seems to be promising to grow in regions with a higher risk of freezing and to be involved in breeding programs to develop novel commercial cultivars.

Silymarin, a bioactive compound derived primarily from the seeds and fruit of the milk thistle (Silybum marianum) plant, has garnered increasing attention in recent years due to its potential applications in agriculture. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted role of silymarin in agricultural practices, shedding light on its chemistry, biological activities, and diverse applications. The chemical structure and properties of silymarin are elucidated, emphasizing its unique solubility, stability, and bioavailability, which render it suitable for agricultural use. A significant portion of the review is dedicated to examining the biological activities of silymarin, which encompasses its antioxidant properties. The underlying mechanisms responsible for these activities are explored, highlighting their potential as a natural solution for mitigating environmental stressors that adversely affect crop health and productivity. Illustrative examples from research studies and practical applications underscore its effectiveness in safeguarding agricultural yields and ensuring food security. Furthermore, the review delves into the potential of silymarin to enhance crop growth, yield, and quality. Mechanisms through which silymarin influences plant physiology and metabolism are examined, providing valuable insights into its role as a growth-promoting agent in agriculture. The review concludes with a forward-looking examination of the prospects of silymarin in agriculture, highlighting emerging trends and areas of innovation that hold promise for sustainable and resilient farming systems. In summary, this review consolidates the current body of knowledge surrounding silymarin’s potential in agriculture. It underscores the versatility of silymarin as a natural tool for crop protection, growth enhancement, and environmental sustainability, offering valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking innovative approaches to address the challenges of modern agriculture.

A total of 25 SSR primers were screened on 37 putative F₁s derived from the five different crosses. Identified cross specific highly informative SSRs primers, i.e., 14 for the first cross, 10 for the second, 12 for the third and 6 each for fourth and fifth crosses. For the first cross Bhagwa × Daru 17, four primers (HvSSRT_375, NRCP_SSR9, NRCP_SSR12 and NRCP_SSR92) were found to be highly informative with higher 100% hybrid purity index (HPI), PIC (~0.52), and observed heterozygosity (Ho, range 0.87–0.93) values, and two F₁s namely H₁ and H₂ were found to be highly heterotic with a heterozygosity index (HI) of 92.85%. Similarly, for Bhagwa × Nana, three primers (HvSSRT_375, HvSSRT_605 and NRCP_SSR19) had higher HPI (70%–100%), PIC (0.52–0.69), and Ho (0.75–0.33) values, and three F₁s H₁, H₂, and H₄ had 70% (HI). For Bhagwa × IC318712, four SSRs (HvSSRT_254, HvSSRT_348, HvSSRT_826 and NRCP_SSR95) had higher Ho (~0.83), HPI (100%) and PIC (~0.52) values, and four F₁s H₂, H₇, H₉, and H₁₀ showed 91.66% (HI). For Bhagwa × Nayana, HvSSRT_605, HvSSRT_826, and HvSSRT_432, and for Ganesh × Nayana, HVSSRT_375, HVSSRT_605, and HvSSRT_826 were found informative. These markers will be highly useful in developing maps of populations.

For centuries, stem cuttings harvested from sexually mature trees have been recognized to be more difficult to root than those from juvenile shoots. This has been poorly understood and attributed to a combination of ontogenetic and physiological ageing. The recent suggestion that micro-RNA may play a key role in phase change has stimulated a re-examination of some old data that identified pre-severance light x nutrient interactions affecting the rooting ability of stem cuttings. This was linked to vigorous growth and active photosynthesis without constraint from accumulated starch. Support for the prime importance of physiological factors was also obtained when seeking to induce physiological youth in the crowns of ontogenetically mature trees by the induction of roots within the tree crown. Meanwhile, at the other end of the phase change spectrum, floral initiation occurred when the opposite set of environmental conditions prevailed so that growth was stunted, and carbohydrates accumulated in leaves and stems. A re-examination of this literature suggests that rooting ability is driven at the level of an individual leaf and internode emerging from the terminal bud affecting both morphological and physiological activity. In contrast, flowering occurs when internode elongation and assimilate mobilization were hindered. It is therefore suggested that the concepts of juvenility and ageing are not relevant to vegetative propagation and should instead be replaced by physiological and morphological ‘fitness’ to root.

Twenty-two tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes were examined for correlation and path analysis in the randomized block design under open field conditions. Total fruit yield showed a significant positive correlation with the number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, lycopene content, and percent seedling survival in the field at both the genotypic and phenotypic levels. A strong correlation between these characters revealed that selection based on these characters would consequently improve the total fruit yield. Path analysis showed that the number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, percent seedling survival in the nursery, and number of locules per fruit exhibited high positive direct phenotypic effects on total fruit yield, whereas the number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, percent seedling survival in the field, and pollen viability had very high positive direct genotypic effects. Therefore, to increase the yield, it would be profitable to prioritize these traits in the selection program.

Bangladesh’s coastal regions are rich in saline water resources. The majority of these resources are still not being used to their full potential. In the southern Bangladeshi region of Patuakhali, research was conducted to investigate the effects of mulching and drip irrigation on tomato yield, quality, and blossom-end rot (BER) at different soil salinity thresholds. There were four distinct treatments applied: T₁= drip irrigation with polythene mulch, T₂ = drip irrigation with straw mulch, T₃ = drip irrigation without mulch, and T₄ = standard procedure. While soil salinity was much greater in treatment T₃ (1.19–8.42 dS/m) fallowed by T₄ (1.23–8.63 dS/m), T1 treatments had the lowest level of salinity and the highest moisture retention during every development stage of the crops, ranging from 1.28–4.29 dS/m. Treatment T₃ exhibited the highest soil salinity levels (ranging from 1.19 to 8.42 dS/m), followed by T₄ with a range of 1.23 to 8.63 dS/m. In contrast, T₁ treatments consistently maintained the lowest salinity levels (ranging from 1.28 to 4.29 dS/m) and the highest moisture retention throughout all stages of crop development. In terms of yield, drip irrigation with no mulch treatment (T₃) provided the lowest output (13.37 t/ha), whereas polyethylene mulching treatment (T₁) produced the maximum yield (46.04 t/ha). According to the study, conserving moisture in tomato fields and reducing soil salinity may both be achieved with drip irrigation combined with polythene mulch. The research suggests that employing drip irrigation in conjunction with polythene mulch could effectively preserve moisture in tomato fields and concurrently decrease soil salinity.

The growing of plants hydroponically is a soilless form of growing in modern day agriculture. It helps to make feed available for animals throughout the season since it is not affected by what is faced by field grown crops. The use of animal waste, that is, their faeces, in the growth of forage was compared with commercial hydroponics solutions as a way of looking for a reduction in the cost incurred in the purchase of commercial hydroponics solutions. The study evaluated the use of organic nutrient solutions (ONS) alongside a standard/commercial nutrient solution in growing crops hydroponically on the growth, dry matter yield, water use efficiency, and chemical composition of hydroponic maize fodder. The ONS used were formulated from the dried faeces of cattle, poultry, rabbits, and swine. The prepared organic nutrient solutions with the control were used in growing the maize seeds for 10 days, and growth, yield, and chemical composition were determined. Results show the highest (196 g) dry matter yield for maize hydroponic fodder irrigated with poultry ONS. Similarly, maize irrigated with poultry ONS was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in CP content, while it was not significantly different from maize irrigated with cattle, swine, and commercial solutions. A lower water use efficiency value (0.19 kg DM/m³) was recorded for maize irrigated with cattle ONS. According to the study, irrigating maize with different organic nutrient solutions produced maize fodder with a higher yield and a similar chemical composition as the commercial nutrient solution.