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Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt. 2Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Institute of Horticulture Research, Agriculture Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt. Corresponding e-mail: amr.shafa.7@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i01.32
Key words: Dracocephalum moldavica, compost, glycine, glutamic acid, essential oil yield, amino acidsyield, volatile oil
Abstract: To determine how combined applications of compost and amino acids affect dragonhead growth, yield, and essential oil production, we conducted a field experiment over the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 growing seasons. The trials took place at the Agriculture Research Farm of Al-Azhar University in Assiut, Egypt. We tested four different compost rates (0.0, 10, 15, and 20 m³ per feddan) alongside foliar sprays of glycine and glutamic acid at concentrations of 200 and 400 ppm. The highest rate of compost (20 m3 per feddan) was found to produce optimal vegetative growth i.e., high plant height, more branches and higher total herb dry weight. The vegetative growth, seed yield and essential oil yield parameters were highest in the treatment of 20 m³ compost/feddan and 400 ppm glycine, which might be recommended as a sustainable method to enhance the productivity of dragonhead. The most effective manner of treating the plants was to add 20 m3 of compost per feddan of the glycine spray at the rate of 400 ppm. This specific mix had the highest growth values, crop yields, and the extract of essential oils as compared to the untreated control. This makes it a highly effective method for improving dragonhead cultivation.
1Department of Agricultural Botany, Plant physiology Division, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt. 2Desert Environment Institute, Sadat City, Sadat University. 3Natural Resources Department, Faculty of African Postgraduate Studies, Cairo University, 12613, Egypt. 4Natural Resources Department, Faculty of African Postgraduate Studies, Cairo University, Egypt. Corresponding e-mail: abdelhamed.abdoo47@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i01.33
Key words: Vitis vinifera , compost, bud burst, mineral content
Abstract: Viticulture is an important source of national income in exporting countries. Organic fertilizer (OF), chemical fertilizer (CF), and foliar nano-fertilizer (FNPs) play important roles in improving plant nutrition, growth, and yield. This study evaluated the combined soil application of chemical fertilizer (CF) and organic fertilizer (OF) at five ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100) with foliar nano-fertilizer sprays containing Zn, Cu and Fe at four levels (100, 75, 50 and 25%). on growth, nutritional status, and productivity of Thompson Seedless grapevines over two seasons. The treatment 75% CF + 25% OF combined with 75% FNPs produced the highest yield and was statistically comparable to 100% FNPs for several growth and nutritional traits. This treatment also increased cluster weight and length. Furthermore, it achieved the highest fruit yield (42.2 and 43.6 kg per vine), compared to 50% CF + 50% OF with 75% FNPs (33.45 and 34.5 kg) and 100% CF + 0% OF with 25% FNPs (lowest at 15.85 and 15.82 kg) in the first and second seasons, respectively. This study highlights integrated strategies combining OF and FNPs as partial alternatives to CF for sustainable agriculture and reduced CF use.
1Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Distt. - Srinagar (J&K), India. 2Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India. E-mail: drkhan_387@skuastkashmirac.in
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i01.34
Key words: Chilli, FGP, Timson’s Index, suboptimal temperature, seed priming and seedling vigour
Abstract: The study was conducted at the Division of BSH, FoH, SKUAST-K, Srinagar, to ascertain the role of seed priming in mitigating the adverse effects of suboptimal low temperature on seed germination potential of chilli. Seeds of chilli cv. Kashmir Long-1 were primed in water for 30 hours (P2), -0.5 MPa PEG-6000 for 18 hours (P3), 8x diluted vermiwash for 30 hours (P4) and 5.0 mg L' melatonin for 30 hours (P5) at a temperature of 25±2 °C. Unprimed seeds were taken as control (P1) and tested for their germination potential at optimal (25±2°C) and suboptimal (17±2°C) temperatures. Five hundred seeds from each treatment, including the control, were cultured in Petri dishes lined with five layers of blotting paper. Seeds were also sown in nursery trays filled with soil and kept for germination at optimal (25±2°C) (C1) as well as suboptimal (17±2°C) (C2) temperatures. All the treatments were replicated thrice and arranged under CRD. The data indicate that the germination potential of chilli seeds significantly declined under suboptimal low temperature whereas different priming treatments tend to improve the germinability of seeds both under optimal and suboptimal temperatures but the positive effects of seed priming were more pronounced under suboptimal temperature condition. Moreover, under suboptimal temperature condition, osmopriming resulted in the highest values for FGP (96.00%), SEP (84.66%), RDW (0.17 g), SDW (0.04 g), TI (32.28), Leaf Chl (0.73 mg/g), CSI (94.80), TAA (46.71), and MSI (76.33), followed by melatonin priming, whereas the lowest values for these parameters were observed in the control. The highest values of these attributes were coupled with the lowest T50G and T50E. Osmopriming with -0.5 MPa PEG-6000 for 18 hours proved most effective in enhancing germination, seedling emergence, seedling vigour and physiological resilience of chilli cv. Kashmir Long-1 under suboptimal low-temperature stress.
Plant Production Techniques Department, Al-Mussaib Technical College, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University. Corresponding e-mail: rana.rayyis.tcm@atu.edu.iq
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i01.35
Key words: Pimpinella anisum L., anise, foliar urea, seaweed extract, growth traits, seed yield, essential oil, limonene, flavonoids
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Abstract: A protected pot experiment was conducted in the wire shelter of the Department of Plant Production Techniques at Al-Mussaib Technical College, located at coordinates 32º47? N latitude and 44º26? E longitude, to investigate the effects of foliar urea application and seaweed extract application on growth, yield, and quality traits of Pimpinella anisum L. (Anise). The experiment was conducted in plastic pots and arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications, with pots randomly distributed within each replication. Data were statistically analyzed, and differences were tested using the least significant difference (LSD) at the 5% significance level. Results showed that foliar application of urea at 15 g L?¹ produced the highest averages for plant height (42.90 cm), number of branches per plant (7.63), number of leaves per plant (32.75), leaf area per plant (160.83 cm²), number of umbels per plant (26.43), seed yield per plant (5.13 g), seed oil content (5.03%), carbohydrate content (53.27%), protein content (17.15%), fiber content (17.55%), flavonoids (16.15 mg g?¹), and relative limonene abundance (22.73%). Meanwhile, foliar spray of seaweed extract at 6 mL L?¹ resulted in the highest averages for the same traits, reaching 44.28 cm, 8.40 branches per plant, 34.80 leaves per plant, 172.68 cm² leaf area, 29.88 umbels per plant, 5.80 g seed yield, 5.40% oil, 55.53% carbohydrates, 17.98% protein, 19.05% fiber, 17.38 mg g?¹ flavonoids, and 24.10% relative limonene abundance, respectively.
Department of Mechanical and Automobile Engineering, CHRIST University, Bengaluru, 560074, India. Corresponding e-mail: hadiyapriteshd@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i01.36
Key words: Wildlife deterrence, wild boar intrusion, motion-activated deterrents, solar-powered, animal behavior modification.
Abstract: Intrusion by wild animals is the biggest concern for farmers, and during the harvesting season, protecting crops is one of their greatest worries. Wild animals, especially boars, are the greatest threat, as they not only eat the crops but also dig up the farmland in search of roots and insects to eat. Moreover, this species tends to visit farms in groups, which can cause significant damage to crops, resulting in substantial financial losses. This study focuses on finding a long-term solution to this problem. An Automated Aversion Unit (AAU) is proposed in this paper and is tested at various locations with different features. The proposed unit is economically viable and can be installed in remote areas without requiring continuous monitoring. During a 15-day short-term observational field trial without randomized control plots, the device demonstrated a substantial reduction in wild boar intrusion frequency, with reductions of up to 95% relative to baseline conditions. The study demonstrates the AAU’s short-term effectiveness in reducing wild boar intrusion; however, long-term habituation resistance requires extended seasonal trials.
1Technical Institute of Al-Mussaib, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Iraq, 2Department of Soil and Water Techniques, Al-Musayyab Technical College, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Iraq. Corresponding e-mail: mohammed.rahim@atu.edu.iq
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i01.37
Key words: Biofertilizer, nano-zinc, nano-iron, tomato, foliar spray, mycorrhiza, soil fertility, nano-micronutrients
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted in the Abi Gharq area, 10 km northwest of Babil Governorate, during 2023–2024, to investigate the effect of biofertilizer application and foliar sprays of nano iron and nano zinc on soil nutrient availability and the growth of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The experiment was arranged as a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Three factors were evaluated: biofertilizer with three levels (control, Azotobacter 10 mL, and mycorrhizal fungi 10 g), nano iron foliar spray at three concentrations (0, 10, and 20 mg L?¹), and nano zinc foliar spray at three concentrations (0, 10, and 20 mg L?¹). The results showed significant effects of biofertilizer, nano iron, nano zinc, and their interactions on soil nutrient availability and tomato growth traits. Mycorrhizal fungi produced the highest mean values for available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, plant height, and number of fruits per plant. Nano iron and nano zinc applications significantly increased soil nutrient availability, plant height, number of fruits per plant, and fruit weight. The three-way interaction between mycorrhizal fungi, nano iron, and nano zinc recorded the highest values for available nitrogen (36.77 mg kg?¹), phosphorus (13.56 mg kg?¹), potassium (251.23 mg kg?¹), iron (6.36 mg kg?¹), zinc (2.79 mg kg?¹), plant height (139.9 cm), and number of fruits per plant (56.22 fruits plant?¹). The highest fruit weight (137.82 g) was recorded under the H0F2Z2 (no biofertilizer + nano iron 20 mg L?¹ + nano zinc 20 mg L?¹) treatment. The study aimed to evaluate the individual and combined effects of biofertilizer application and foliar nano-iron and nano-zinc sprays on post-harvest soil nutrient availability, vegetative growth and yield attributes of tomato.
1School of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore. 2Urban Food Solutions Division, Singapore Food Agency, Singapore. Conservation Division, National Parks Board, Singapore. 4Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore. E-mail: ckk@np.edu.sg
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i01.38
Key words: Lactuca sativa L., multi-leaf lettuce, hydroponics, deep flow technique (DFT), growth modelling, logarithmic regression, greenhouse cultivation, harvest prediction, shoot fresh weight
Abstract: This study examined the growth dynamics of two multi-leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars, ‘Ribbon’ and ‘Lime’, grown hydroponically using the deep flow technique (DFT). The objective was to characterize cultivar-specific vegetative growth patterns and evaluate the suitability of logarithmic regression models for predicting harvest timing in hydroponic systems. Growth parameters including shoot fresh weight (FW), stem FW, plant height, stem height, and leaf number were recorded at 1-2 day intervals from 20 to 35 days after transplanting (DAT). ‘Ribbon’ exhibited rapid vegetative growth between approximately 26 and 29 DAT, with shoot FW increasing from 80 g to 100 g and stem height reaching about 5 cm within the 3-day period. Logarithmic regression models showed strong fits for shoot FW (R² = 0.9449), plant height (R² = 0.8817), and stem height (R² = 0.9430), while leaf number increased from 7 to 19 (R² = 0.8478). These characteristics indicated that ‘Ribbon’ was suitable for short-cycle production emphasizing rapid leaf biomass accumulation. In contrast, ‘Lime’ showed a slower but more gradual growth pattern. After 29 DAT, shoot FW reached 93 g with stem height approaching 5 cm, requiring an additional day to exceed the 100 g harvest threshold. Logarithmic models showed excellent fits for shoot FW and leaf number (R² = 0.9837 and 0.9917, respectively), with leaf numbers increasing from 6 to 24 during the observation period. The results demonstrated that logarithmic regression could be applied as an empirical approximation over an observed harvest window rather than full-cycle growth predictions in hydroponic lettuce. Such models may assist growers in predicting crop development and optimizing harvest scheduling in controlled hydroponic production systems.
1 Department of Soil and Water Techniques, Al-Musayyab Technical College, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Iraq. 2Department of Biocontrol Techniques, Al-Musayyab Technical College, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Iraq. 3Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, University of Karbala, Iraq. 4Department of Soil and Water Techniques, Al-Musayyab Technical College, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Iraq. Corresponding e-mail: mohammed.rahim@atu.edu.iq
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i01.39
Key words: Eco-WRP, fulvic acid, humic acid, nano-fertilizers, soil organic carbon, potato, available NPK
Abstract: The study was a field experiment based on a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications in the autumn growing season of 2023-2024 in loam soil in the Al-Musayyib district, Babylon Governorate, in Iraq. At the test site, the baseline of soil organic carbon (SOC) was 2.72 g kg-1, and, after the harvest, SOC in the control plots dropped to 1.50 g kg-1. The experiment examined the synergistic interactions between humic acid, fulvic acid and Eco-WRP with nano-NPK on post-harvest soil organic carbon and availability of macronutrients in soils under potato cultivation. The treatments were (i) HA (5 g plant-1), FA (2 g plant-1) and control and (ii) Eco-WRP + nano-NPK at five levels: Eco-WRP only (10 kg ha-1), Eco-WRP + nano-NPK (2 g), Eco-WRP + nano-NPK (4 g), nano-NPK only (2 g) and control. Findings indicated that HA in combination with nano-NPK had a significant effect of enhancing the availability of nitrogen in the soil (73.152 mg kg-1). However, a mixture of FA, Eco-WRP (10 kg ha?¹) and 4 g nano-NPK led to maximum increases in available phosphorus (31.001 mg kg-1), potassium (318.632mg kg-1) and SOC (3.061g kg-1). The results illustrate the possibility of combined organic and nano-fertilizer management to boost soil fertility and nutrient bioavailability in semi-arid soils.
1Equipe Ecophysiologie Végétale, Laboratoire Biosciences, Ecole Doctorale Sciences et Technologies, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou 03, 03 BP 7021, Burkina Faso. 2Laboratoire de Génétique et de Biotechnologies Végétales/ Programme Plantes à Racines et Tubercules, Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), 01 BP 476 Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso. 3Laboratoire de Virologie et de Biotechnologies Végétales, Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), 01 BP 476 Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso. 4Central and West African Virus Epidemiology (WAVE), Université Felix Houphouêt-Boigny Pôle scientifique et d’innovation, Bingerville, BPV 34 Abidjan - Côte d’Ivoire. Corresponding e-mail: calebouedraogo09@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i01.40
Key words: Manihot esculenta, micropropagation, nodal explant, auxin, cytokinin, BAP, NAA, in vitro culture, cassava regeneration
Abstract: Adopting micropropagation methods to propagate local cassava (Manihot esculenta) cultivars of Burkina Faso could greatly enhance farmers’ access to high-quality cassava cuttings. However, the optimal composition of the growth medium may vary depending on the cassava genotype. This study aimed to assess the individual effects of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) on in vitro plantlet stem and root growth of the preferred local cassava cultivar ‘BFM260’. To achieve this, nodal explants were inoculated onto five media: one hormone-free control and four media supplemented with NAA or BAP. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of five treatments with three replications. Four weeks after inoculation, the hormone-free medium (M0) produced the longest root (60.20 ± 5.32 mm). The plantlets grown on the culture medium supplemented with 0.02 mg L-1 of NAA (M3) induced a 100% nodal explants regeneration rate, exhibited the longest stem (14 ± 2.84 mm) and produced the highest number of roots (3.6 ± 0.29). This medium was superior for overall plantlet architecture and multiplication potential. However, the high callus rate observed at the base of the plantlets produced on medium M3 requires that the survival rate of these plantlets during acclimatization be evaluated.
1Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Cross River State, Nigeria. 2Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Calabar, Nigeria.Corresponding e-mail: etimekpiken@yahoo.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i01.41
Key words: African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV), coat protein gene, phylogenetic analysis, population genetics, purifying selection, Cross River State, begomovirus, cassava mosaic disease, DNA-A, DnaSP
Abstract: African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) is among the most economically significant begomoviruses affecting cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) production in sub-Saharan Africa, however its molecular population dynamics in Cross River State (CRS), Nigeria, have remained poorly characterized. This study presents the phylogenetic and population genetic analysis of cassava begomoviruses ACMV DNA-A isolates from CRS, based on coat protein (CP) gene sequences of 44 begomovirus isolates drawn from five geographic populations namely East/South Africa, Nigeria, Asia, West Africa, and CRS. Sequence alignment was performed using the MUSCLE algorithm in Bioedit, phylogenetic reconstruction was conducted in MEGA 12 under the General Time Reversible model with 1000 bootstrap replicates, and population genetic parameters were estimated using DnaSP v6.01. Phylogenetic analysis placed all three CRS isolates (CRS-P1, CRS-P2, CRS-P3) within the West African clade, with CRS-P1 and CRS-P3 clustering within a Nigerian–Ghanaian subgroup and CRS-P2 forming a distinct Nigerian–Togolese lineage, ruling out Asian or southern/central African origins. The CRS population exhibited the lowest nucleotide diversity (? = 0.010) and the strongest purifying selection (dN/dS = 0.03) across all populations, with only 9 segregating sites among three unique haplotypes. Due to a limited number of segregating sites, neutrality tests could not be performed for the CRS population. In contrast, the remaining populations exhibited significantly negative Tajima’s D statistics, a pattern indicative of either a historical population expansion or the effects of purifying selection. Population differentiation analysis showed that the CRS sequences were significantly differentiated from Asian (Snn = 0.9000), East/South African (Snn = 0.7728), and Nigerian (Snn = 0.4792) populations, but not from West African populations. This suggests possible shared ancestry or ongoing regional gene flow between the CRS and West African populations.These findings indicate the CRS sequences harbors a genetically uniform and highly conserved ACMV lineage of West African origin, with important implications for disease surveillance and resistance breeding in Nigeria.
1The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Ehime University, Ehime 790-8566, Japan. 2Graduate School of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Kagawa 761-0795, Japan. 3Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Kagawa 7610795, Japan. Corresponding e-mail: chhetri.lalbah@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i01.42
Key words: Fertilization, fruit quality, hydroponic cultivation, ‘Kagawa UP-Ki5’, waterlogging tolerance, K?O, fruit potassium, deep-water culture
Abstract: Hydroponic cultivation of kiwifruit is a novel production system which aims to enhance yield and fruit quality under challenges induced by global climate change. This experiment studied the effect of additional K2O fertilization in non-circulating deep-water hydroponic cultivation of A. rufa x A. chinensis var. chinensis ‘Kagawa UP-Ki5’ kiwifruit. Seven years old ‘Kagawa UP-Ki5’ kiwifruit vines grafted on waterlogging tolerant rootstock Actinidia macrosperma were used in the experiment. The hydroponic fertilizers, OAT (OAT House No. 1 and 2) and K2O (OAT House No. 10) from OAT Agrio Co. Ltd., Japan were used in the experiment. Two fertilization regimes, 1/4-strength OAT and K2O added 1/4-strength OAT nutrient were applied for five and four vines respectively in 2024. In 2025, four vines were applied with 1/4-strength OAT, and three vines were applied with K2O added 1/4-strength OAT nutrient. Growing water solution, vegetative and fruit quality parameters were assessed to evaluate the treatment effects. Higher electrical conductivity in K2O added 1/4-strength OAT condition resulted in less water consumption by vines in both years. Additional K2O applied in the growing water solution did not improve the fruit weight and total soluble solid content of fruit. The fruit produced from K2O added 1/4-strength OAT treated vines were significantly higher in potassium content indicating production potential of potassium fortified kiwifruit in deep-water hydroponic cultivation. However, further study is necessary to optimize sugar accumulation in hydroponically grown kiwifruit.
ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode 673 012, Kerala, India. Corresponding e-mail: subi.kps@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i01.4
Key words: Black pepper, fungicides, Pythium deliense, resurgence, wilting, yellowing
Abstract: Yellowing and wilting, which become prevalent with the advent of the post-monsoon season, are a serious threat to black pepper cultivation. Detailed investigations into the aetiology revealed an association of three Pythium species: P. deliense, P. cucurbitacearum, and P. catenulatum, with the syndrome. As a preliminary phase to develop a promising strategy to manage the yellowing and wilting, new generation fungicides, namely famoxadone-cymoxanil, cymoxanil-mancozeb, strobilurin fungicides [RIL-070/FI (72 FP) and kresoxim-methyl], propiconazole, propineb, chlorothalonil, iprovalicarb-propineb, and fenamidone-mancozeb were screened in vitro against the pathogens and compared the efficacy with commonly used copper oxychloride and metalaxyl-mancozeb at recommended dosages. Initially, metalaxyl-mancozeb (1250 ppm), propiconazole (2000 ppm), fenamidone-mancozeb (500 ppm), and RIL-070/FI (400 ppm) were found to be promising; however, the pathogens exhibited resurgence of growth, except for P. cucurbitacearum. The LD50 and LD90 values, as well as mycelial degradation, which occurred upon exposure to the fungicides, were also determined. In the Alamar Blue dye assay, a change of colour from blue to pink indicated resistance of the pathogens to the tested fungicides. The in planta assay showed typical wilting and root rot with propiconazole, while no visible symptoms were observed with metalaxyl-mancozeb and fenamidone-mancozeb. The results of the present study indicated the multiple fungicide tolerance of Pythium spp. associated with the yellowing and wilting of black pepper, which warrants further evaluation of the fungicides under field conditions in endemic regions.
1ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, India. 2Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, Bengaluru, India. Corresponding e-mail: laxmaniihr@gmail.com.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i01.1
Key words: Precision agriculture, image segmentation, deep learning, biomass, stress, digital phenotyping
Abstract: Precision horticulture demands intelligent monitoring systems for automated crop management. While traditional biomass estimation relies on destructive sampling, modern ICT-driven approaches offer transformative solutions. This study presents an AI-powered methodology integrating YOLOv11 for autonomous biomass estimation and stress monitoring in tomato crops. High-resolution RGB imagery was captured across multiple phenological stages under two irrigation regimes. YOLOv11’s computer vision capabilities enabled automated canopy detection, segmentation, and digital biomass quantification, eliminating destructive sampling. Novel AI-driven metrics were introduced: convex hull area for stress-induced canopy alterations and compactness (digital biomass to convex hull ratio) for automated canopy assessment. This integrated approach achieved robust accuracy in stress detection and biomass estimation (R² =0.821), enabling real-time monitoring for precision horticulture. The model demonstrated exceptional performance with segmentation precision of 0.950, recall of 0.979, and mean average precision of 0.975 at IoU 0.5, with mAP50-95 of 0.826. The rapid inference time of 2.3ms per image enables high-throughput phenotyping and decision support for site-specific management. YOLOv11-derived digital biomass correlated strongly with fresh biomass (R² = 0.821). Image-derived features effectively differentiated control and stress conditions. Genotype analysis revealed variation in biomass accumulation: Arka Abhed and Arka Rakshak performed better under optimal irrigation, while Arka Vikas showed greater stress resilience. These results validate YOLOv11 as a scalable solution for intelligent crop monitoring and precision input application in next-generation digital horticulture.
1Division of Crop Production and Postharvest Technology, ICAR- Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode, Kerala – 673 012, India. 2Division of Crop Improvement and Biotechnology, ICAR- Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode, Kerala – 673 012, India. Corresponding e-mail: ranjanigop@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i01.5
Key words: Allspice; bay rum; volatile constituents; chemotypes
Abstract: Allspice (Pimenta dioica), a Caribbean tree spice introduced to the tropics, including India, has been found to share morphological and anatomical traits with the Bay Rum tree (P. racemosa), though only Allspice berries are suitable for culinary use. Thus, the present work was undertaken to reiterate the identity of Pimenta species grown in India using volatile compounds-based multivariate analysis. The essential oil (EO) was distilled from the samples, and its constituents were profiled using GC-MS. The results showed that the berry essential oil EO of Pimenta species from Kerala showed eugenol as the major constituent (39.9 %), followed by myrcene (22.2 %). Other major constituents were chavicol, limonene, linalool, and trans-?-caryophyllene. The EO distilled from samples collected at three locations in the Western Ghats region of India also showed a composition similar to that of P. racemosa. Moreover, of the five market samples tested, three indigenous samples showed a volatile profile of P. racemosa, and the remaining two exotic samples matched the profile of P. dioica. The study thus proved that the spice grown and marketed as Allspice in India is not Pimenta dioicia but its related species Pimenta racemosa.
1Department of Life Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. 2Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Loyola College, Chennai, India. 3Department of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Tennessee State University, Nashville, USA. Corresponding e-mail: ramesh.joshi1@sharda.ac.in
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2026.v28i01.6
Key words: Banana, Grand Naine, micropropagation, Musa acuminata
Abstract: Banana (Musa acuminata cv. Grand Naine) is a globally important triploid cultivar valued for its yield and uniformity. Yet, large-scale cultivation is constrained by the limited multiplication rate and disease transmission through conventional sucker propagation. The present study develops and validates a cost-effective micropropagation protocol integrating optimized initiation, liquid-phase multiplication using reusable glass beads and ex vitro rooting in Soil-Rite substrate. Shoot induction was maximized on MS medium containing 4.0 mg L-1 BAP, while the combination of 1.0 mg L-1 IAA and 0.5 mg L-1 TDZ produced the highest proliferation (8.67 ± 0.47 shoots clump-1). Rooting was most efficient at 1.0 mg L-1 IBA, achieving up to 99% induction in Soil-Rite. Successive sub-cultures (cycles 1–10) revealed peak multiplication at cycle 6 and declining regeneration thereafter, emphasizing the importance of limiting sub-culture duration. Early-cycle plantlets exhibited superior hardening (96%) and field survival (92.7%). Comparative cost analysis demonstrated that substituting agar with glass beads during multiplication and employing Soil-Rite rooting reduced production expenses by 52% per 1,000 plantlets. The proposed hybrid workflow thus shortens culture duration, improves survival efficiency, and substantially lowers unit cost, providing a scalable and commercially viable strategy for mass propagation of banana cv. Grand Naine and other elite Musa cultivars.
