Contents   ||   Editorial Board  || Instructions to Authors      

Click here to view Full Article

Nutri-sensitive agriculture in India: A comprehensive review

G.S. Pooja, S.P. Lal and V.G. Reddy

ABSTRACT

Nutri-sensitive agriculture (NSA) has emerged as an essential approach for achieving sustainable food systems, improved health and ecological stability. It integrates nutritional goals with agricultural production through crop diversification, dietary diversity, biofortification and environmentally sustainable practices. Although India has achieved self sufficiency in food production with a TWR-5, total output of 353.9 million tonnes and national availability of 283.1 million tonnes, widespread malnutrition persists. Around 172.1 million people remain undernourished, and about 586.5 million individuals cannot afford a healthy diet. The prevalence of anaemia among women exceeds 50%, while among children below five years of age, 32.1% are underweight, 19.3% suffer from wasting, and 35.5% are stunted. These nutritional deficiencies highlight the urgent need to integrate nutrition-focused and environmentally responsible strategies into agricultural systems. The recent release of 152 biofortified crop varieties between 2014–2024 has been a significant step towards improving the nutritional value of staple foods, aligning with NSA objectives. The present study examines the need assessment and evolution of NSA in India by analyzing food production trends, affordability of healthy diets and nutritional outcomes from 1951 to 2025. It also describes the initiatives, policies, and interventions that have contributed to combating malnutrition since independence. The study emphasizes the role of environmental sustainability in achieving nutrition goals and suggests strategic integration of nutrition into agriculture through established frameworks of FAO, UNICEF, MSSRF and IFAD.

Key words: Biofortification, food availability, framework, nutri-sensitive agriculture, sustainability

Enhancing acclimatization of Coffea arabica F1 hybrids through poultry manure biochar amendment

S.F. Billa and K.N. Kome-Ndobide

ABSTRACT

Coffea arabica F1 hybrids offer elite agronomic traits (high yield potential and disease resistance), but they remain difficult to propagate at scale due to high mortality during the acclimatization phase. This study investigated the potential of poultry manure biochar (PMB) to improve substrate properties and enhance the survival and physiological vigour of Starmaya mini-cuttings. Using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), rooted cuttings were grown in substrates amended with PMB at 0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% v/v. Survival rate, root and shoot biomass, root-to-shoot ratio (RSR), and chlorophyll content (SPAD) were assessed over 12 weeks, with an extension phase to monitor post-acclimatization resilience. Results indicated that PMB significantly altered substrate pH and nutrient retention. A 5% PMB amendment was identified as the optimal dose, increasing survival rates to 92.1% compared to 68.9% in the control. This treatment also maximized root biomass (0.87 g/plant) and maintained a balanced RSR (0.6). While higher application rates (10%) induced phytotoxicity linked to elevated salinity, the 5% treatment demonstrated sustained benefits without mineral fertilization. These findings suggest that PMB at a modest rate offers a sustainable, waste-derived solution to the critical bottleneck of nursery acclimatization for elite coffee hybrids.

Key words: Circular economy, mini-cuttings, nursery management, seedling vigor, starmaya, substrate mendment, waste valorization

Principal component analysis of mutageninduced variability and trait interrelationships in greengram (Vigna radiata L.)

T.R. Das and B. Baisakh

ABSTRACT

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the pattern of variability and trait interrelationships among nine quantitative characters of greengram crop in a set of fifteen mutagenic treatments along with the parent variety Sujata as the control using principal component analysis (PCA), which indicated that the first principal component (PC₁) explained 56.18% of the total variation, followed by PC₂ (16.38%) and PC₃ (10.65%), cumulatively accounting for 83.21% of the total variability. Eigenvector analysis revealed that PC₁ was largely influenced by positive contributions from traits such as plant height, pods  per plant, seeds per pod, and 100-seed weight whereas days to 50% flowering and days to maturity contributed negatively, reflecting a major contrast between trait groups. The second principal component was dominated by yield per plant, indicating its independent role, while PC₃ was mainly associated with clusters per plant, contributing to secondary variability. The PCA biplot further confirmed the clustering of traits namely plant height, clusters per plant, pods per plant, pod length, seeds per pod and 100-seed weight and the distinct separation of days to 50% flowering and days to maturity, with yield per plant forming an independent axis. Mutagenic treatments, i.e. gamma rays (20 kR, 40 kR) and EMS (0.2%, 0.4%) are closely associated with major contributing traits, appear to be promising candidates for yield improvement whereas MH (0.02%, 0.03%) and 40 kR gamma rays + 0.02% MH were positioned in the opposite direction, showing a negative association with major yield-related traits. Treatments NG (0.010% and 0.015%) and MH (0.01%) were aligned with yield per plant, indicating their specific influence on this trait. The results demonstrate that induced mutagenesis effectively enhanced genetic diversity in greengram and that PCA serves as a reliable tool for identifying key traits and promising genotypes, thereby facilitating selection strategies in greengram breeding programs.

Key words: Genetic variability, greengram, induced mutation, mutagens, principal component analysis, trait association, yield components

Impact of nutritional g arden on health andnutritional security of Lodha tribal women in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, India

J. Bhuyan

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out among Lodha women aged 18-45 years of age group in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha to know the impact of nutritional garden (NG) on their health and nutritional security. The questionnaire-cum-interview method was applied for data collection. The data was collected before and after establishment of nutritional garden. The collected data were analysed through SPSS and MSTAT-C software. The nutritional garden intervention showed a notable effect on the haemoglobin levels of Lodha tribal women. Prior to its implementation, only 3.67% of the participants were non-anaemic, while 48.33% were mildly anaemic, 45% moderately anaemic, and 3% severely anaemic. Following the introduction of the nutritional garden, the proportion of non-anaemic women increased to 23%. Mild anaemia rose to 65%, whereas moderate anaemia declined to 12%, and no cases of severe anaemia were observed. In addition, various clinical symptoms including Bitot’s spots, constipation, joint pain, scurvy, and changes in general appearance, hair, eyes, skin, face, lips, tongue, teeth, gums, and nails showed improvement after the intervention. The mean scores for these symptoms decreased in most cases when compared to pre-intervention values. However, symptoms related to the face showed a slight increase. Overall, the findings indicate a reduction in disease prevalence and clinical symptoms among the participants after the establishment of the nutritional garden, suggesting an improvement in their overall health status.

Key words: Health, Lodha women, nutritional garden, nutritional security

Genetic characterization of Binjharpuri cattle in Odisha, India: Implications for breeding stock selection

J. Mohanty, P.K. Raut, S.K. Dash, D.K. Karna and C. Mishra

ABSTRACT

The present study on 938 Binjharpuri cattle, owned by 230 farmers across 20 villages in four blocks of Jajpur district, the native tract, varying in age, sex and location were assessed. Data were collected through personal interactions with farmers to assess the production and reproduction performance. in 375 cattle (24 male and 351 females)of different age groups. Observations indicated that males exhibited numerically higher body weight than female counterparts without significant difference between sex till maturity, but significantly higher body weight of 252.51 was recorded in males against 206.76 in female counterparts at adulthood. Locality did not have significant effect on any of the biometric traits and body weight at all stages of growth. Binjharpuri cows matured at the age of around 29 months (872.46 days) and dropped their first calf at the age of around 40 months (1184.22 days). The calving interval was around 15 months. Overall lactation length was observed as 293.59 days with average daily milk yield of 4.37 kg in these cows. Moderate but higher heritability estimates were observed at 12 months of age than those at adult stage for body weight and all the conformation traits. Positive and moderate to high genetic and phenotypic correlations were observed between body weight and body measurements. Heritability estimates for reproduction parameters viz. age at sexual maturity, age at first calving, calving interval and production trait like lactation length ranged from 0.29±0.10 to 0.41±0.14.

Key words: Breeding, critical, genetic, potential, selection

Economic evaluation of functional chicken meat nuggets formulated with little millet flour

A. Dash, B.P. Mishra, P.K. Rath, S.M. Samantaray, D. Dash and J.Mishra

ABSTRACT

The need for healthier meat products that are ready to eat or cook has grown as a result of rapid urbanization and lifestyle changes. Although processed meat products provide meat eaters with delicious and convenient options, their high price makes it challenging for the typical consumer to include them into their diet. Thus, the current study’s goal is to produce inexpensive and healthier meat products using functional ingredients and compare the manufacturing costs of these products to those of the control product. Nuggets of chicken meat were made using a regulated recipe and extended with a precisely measured amount of little millet flour (LMF). LMF levels were optimized by various trials based on sensory qualities, and those with sensory attributes closer to the control were chosen.To identify the most cost-effective preparation, the price of chicken nuggets after lean meat was substituted with a chosen amount of LMF was examined. The results showed that LMF- incorporated chicken nuggets were less expensive than control items. Thus, it was concluded that the most cost-effective formulation among the levels of incorporation was one that added 6% of LMF at the expense of lean meat.

Key words: Chicken nuggets, cost, economics, functional ingredients, little millet flour

Gudusia chapra (Hamilton, 1822) [Clupeiformes: Dorosomatidae] in Dhansiri river: A new family record for Nagaland, India

B.R. Chowdhuary, A.K. Tudu, S. Rath, A. Ghosh and L. Kosygin

ABSTRACT

Gudusia chapra, the Indian river shad recently placed in the family Dorosomatidae, formerly belonged to Clupeidae, is reported for the first time from the Dhansiri river in Dimapur, Nagaland, representing a new distribution record for the state. This species is widely distributed across Indian riverine as well as brackish water systems and is recognized for its ecological importance and contribution to local fisheries. A lot of morphometric, genomic and molecular studies on G. chapra have already been undertaken at different levels including length–weight relationships and heavy metal bio-accumulation studies in various river eco-systems of India and Bangladesh, there has been no prior documentation of its taxonomic account or occurrence in the Dhansiri river, Nagaland.

Key words: Dorosomatidae family, freshwater, Gudusia chapra, Nagaland, new record

Phytochemical profiling and antibacterial assessment of Mappia nimmoniana (J. Graham) Byng & Stull

R.S. Devi, S. Jethy and S. Kumar

ABSTRACT

Mappia nimmoniana (J.Graham) Byng & Stull, a medium-sized tree, is distributed in the states viz. Odisha, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir. It is known for its therapeutic potentials including anti-cancer activity. The present study explores the phyto-chemical profiling, antimicrobial activity and DPPH radical scavenging assay of M. nimmoniana leaves. The study detected various phyto-chemical compounds such as tannin, saponin, terpenoid, alkaloid, steroid and reducing sugar. Further quantification of the phyto-chemical compounds revealed abundant tannin content (22.15 mg/100 g), phenol content (2.17 mg/100 g), comparatively low flavonoid content (0.458 mg/100 g) and saponin of 5.994 %. Although no significant antibacterial activity was observed against E. coli, the aqueous extract showed high radical scavenging activity of 54.04% at the lowest concentration of 0.125 mg ml-1, which correlates with the presence of bioactive compounds in the polar solvents. As the extraction shifts towards non-polar solvents, the radical scavenging activity is reduced to half in the ethanolic extract and is negligible as it reaches the lowest polarity of n-hexane. The present study showed that M. nimmoniana could be a source of bioactive compounds for future drug development and also highlighted the need for sustainable extraction of plant parts for drug development works.

Key words: Phytochemical, plant collection, radical scavenging, secondary metabolites

Additional records of foliicolous lichens to the state of Kerala, India

S.A. Zachariah, S. Joseph and K.A. Ashnamol

ABSTRACT

Five species of foliicolous lichens growing on tropical evergreen trees in Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts of Kerala are reported as additions to the lichen flora of the state. Coenogonium isidiiferum (Lücking) Lücking, Microxyphiomyces vainioi (R. Sant.) Xavier-Leite, M. Cáceres & Lücking, Porina andamanensis Upreti & Ajay Singh, Strigula antillarum (Fée) Müll. Arg. and Strigula subelegans Vain. were identified and briefly described based on morphological and anatomical characters. With about 25 foliicolous lichens previously reported from Kerala, this article significantly contributes to the state’s lichen flora, adding five new records that promote our understanding of the region’s biodiversity.

Key words: Additional records, crustose thallus, foliicolous lichens, Kerala

Baseline inventory of herpetofauna from the Naneghat lateritic plateau in the Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India

A. Dolas, S.S. Maharana and A. Sha. Arun

ABSTRACT

Amphibians and reptiles are vital components of ecological networks, acting as both predators and prey, and serving as sensitive bioindicators of environmental health. The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a global biodiversity hotspot, harbour exceptional levels of herpetofaunal endemism; yet, many microhabitats remain poorly explored. Here we present the first systematic assessment of herpetofaunal diversity on the Naneghat plateau (~750 m asl), Maharashtra, India. Field surveys were conducted during the monsoon seasons from June 2020 to June 2025 using standardized visual encounter surveys, random walks, and active microhabitat searches. A total of 53 species were recorded, comprising 9 anurans, 13 lizards, and 31 snakes, across 18 families. According to the IUCN Red List (2025), 44 species are listed as Least Concern, four have not yet been assessed, while Varanus bengalensis, Uropeltis bicatenata, Gongylophis conicus, and Eryx johnii are categorized as Near Threatened. Of the recorded species, 34 are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022. This study provides a baseline inventory for this underexplored landscape and underscores the need for long-term monitoring and site-specific conservation strategies.

Key words: Baseline inventory, conservation, herpetofauna, Naneghat plateau

Tuberculous pericarditis in a captive sloth bear (Melursus ursinus): A case report

S. Ilayaraja, A. Sha. Arun, N.K. Adhithyan, P. Acharya, S.S. Maharana and M.V. Baijuraj

ABSTRACT

Tuberculous pericarditis (TBP), an uncommon extrapulmonary manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex infections, is rarely documented in bears. A 25-year-old sick captive male sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) was presented to the Agra Bear Rescue Facility for necessary investigation. The animal exhibited progressive weakness, respiratory distress, drowsiness, and arrhythmias, culminating in cardiovascular failure. Ante-mortem investigations, including Ziehl–Neelsen staining, MycoPac dual kit, and thoracic radiography, revealed acid-fast bacilli, seropositivity for Mycobacterium spp. leading to pneumonic changes, and cardiac enlargement. Post-mortem examination revealed granulomatous pericarditis with necrosis, epithelioid cell granulomas, histiocytic infiltration, and acid-fast bacilli. Supportive care along with antitubercular therapy was provided. This case highlights the rarity of TBP in ursids, underscores the diagnostic challenges in captive wildlife, and emphasizes the importance of routine screening, quarantine, and stress-reducing management strategies to mitigate disease risk.

Key words: Diagnosis, histopathology, preventive measures, sloth bear, tuberculous pericarditis

New record of Pallas’s gull [Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus (Pallas, 1773)] in the Brahmani river, Bonai forest division, Odisha, India

L.K. Patra, S.K. Jena, S. Paira, N.C. Palei, B.P. Rath and M. Giri

ABSTRACT

The Pallas’s gull, Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus (Pallas, 1773) or the Great black-headed gull, happens to be the world’s largest black-headed gull and the third largest species of gull in the world, followed by the great black-backed gull. It is the most spectacular fish-eating predator among the world’s gulls. A survey was conducted in and around Brahmani river at Bonai forest division, Odisha. The water level of Brahmani was low during the winter season. However, for the first time the authors sighted these migratory bird species in the Brahmani basin under Bonai forest division. The present data on the current status and distribution of the Pallas’s gull in the Brahmani river stretch has been documented. Previously the Pallas’s gull has been reported from different parts of Odisha. But in recent times, due to lack of food and impact of climate changes, these birds might have changed their distribution pattern. These birds were found for the first time in Bonai under the present survey. Authors herewith suggest that a long-term monitoring is required to determine and establish the exact status, distribution of these species at Bonai, Odisha.

Key words: Bonai forest division, Brahmani river, migration, Odisha, Pallas’s gull