Vermicomposting technology as a dynamic strategy to mitigate environmental crisis: a bibliometric study of last three decades.

Efficient recycling of resources forms the cornerstone of sustainable development. Among multiple options in stock for waste recycling, vermicomposting technology is regarded as a futuristic strategy, being tested in every part of the globe due to easy accessibility. Hence, a bibliometric study was planned to set a sight on global scientific trends encompassing vermicomposting research in last three decades. The data were retrieved from Google Scholar, Scopus and PubMed. Publications from different search engines were filtered out and 2064 unique documents were collected and illustrated in MS Excel and Vos-viewer. Inferences were drawn on significant aspects, such as publication growth trend, journal analysis and co-occurrence of keywords. The study revealed that the number of publications increased from 3 in 1992 to 166 in 2021. The number of citations also increased and peaked at 4314 in 2015. Following this, we clustered keywords using principle component analysis and worked out links between domains of vermicomposting. Vermicomposting conjoined to words substrate manipulation, quality improvement, heavy metal adsorption, and yield parameters. This implies that vermicompost is being explored for many alternate uses in addition to its use as a fertiliser. We concluded that vermicomposting is one of the promising technologies for waste recycling. It modulates plant growth and subdues stress in plants. Additionally, being an efficient adsorbent, it serves bioremediation of contaminated sites. Therefore, the future of this technology lies in synthesising nano-formulations, integrating into biosensor technology, simulating for predicting timelines under different conditions and making efforts to improve their adsorption.

Flavor profiling and gene expression studies of indigenous aromatic rice variety (Mushk Budiji) grown at different altitudes of Highland Himalayan regions.

Mushk Budiji-an indigenous aromatic rice variety is usually grown at an altitude ranging from 5000 to 7000 ft above mean sea level in Highland Himalayas. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of altitude, soil nitrogen content and climatic conditions (temperature) of the selected locations on the flavor profile of Mushk Budiji using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and electronic nose (E-nose). E-nose being rapid and non-destructive method was used to validate the results of volatile aromatic compounds obtained using GC-MS in Mushk Budiji. Around 35 aromatic compounds were identified in Mushk Budiji rice samples. Highest volatile peak area percentage (105.41%) was recorded for Mushk Budji grown at an altitude of 5216.53 ft. Highest E-nose score (2.52) was obtained at an altitude of 6299.21 ft. Over-expression of fatty acid degradation and linoleic acid metabolism genes was observed at higher altitudes, whereas lipid biosynthesis was negatively influenced by higher altitude. Fatty acid degradation and linoleic acid metabolism is responsible for the synthesis of volatile aromatic compounds in Mushk Budiji. This study will therefore be the path finder for investigating the intricate mechanism behind the role of altitude on aroma development in Mushk Budiji rice for future studies.

Predicting the optimum harvesting dates for different exotic apple varieties grown under North Western Himalayan regions through acoustic and machine vision techniques.

Acoustic system and machine vision were used to evaluate the effects of different harvest dates on the quality and sensory attributes of exotic apple varieties of North Western Himalayan. Gala Redlum (V1) was harvested at 110 (H1), 120 (H2) and 130 (H3) Days from Full Bloom (DFFB); Red Velox (V2) and Super Chief (V3) were harvested at 130 (H1), 140 (H2) and 150 (H3) DFFB. Highest acoustic coefficient (21.13) and firmness (20.72 lbs) recorded at first harvest date (H1) decreased significantly (p ≤0.05) (19.86 to 17.90 lbs) at second harvest (H2) and (17.77 to 16.80 lbs) at third harvest date. Highest starch iodine rating (3.72); anthocyanin content (24.81 mg/100 g); total soluble solids (12.10 %); total sugars (8.75 %) were recorded at H3 in all the varieties. For Gala Redlum (V1) 130 DFFB and for Red Velox (V2) and Super Chief (V3) 150 DFFB were predicted as suitable harvesting dates for table consumption.

Soil microbial and enzyme activities in different land use systems of the Northwestern Himalayas.

Soil microbial activity (SMA) is vital concerning carbon cycling, and its functioning is recognized as the primary factor in modifying soil carbon storage potential. The composition of the microbial community (MC) is significant in sustaining environmental services because the structure and activity of MC also influence nutrient turnover, distribution, and the breakdown rate of soil organic matter. SMA is an essential predictor of soil quality alterations, and microbiome responsiveness is imperative in addressing the escalating sustainability concerns in the Himalayan ecosystem. This study was conducted to evaluate the response of soil microbial and enzyme activities to land conversions in the Northwestern Himalayas (NWH), India. Soil samples were collected from five land use systems (LUSs), including forest, pasture, apple, saffron, and paddy-oilseed, up to a depth of 90 cm. The results revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in terms of dehydrogenase (9.97-11.83 TPF µg g-1 day-1), acid phosphatase (22.40-48.43 µg P-NP g-1 h-1), alkaline phosphatase (43.50-61.35 µg P-NP g-1 h-1), arylsulphatase (36.33-48.12 µg P-NP g-1 h-1), fluorescein diacetate hydrolase (12.18-21.59 µg g-1 h-1), bacterial count (67.67-123.33 CFU × 106 g-1), fungal count (19.33-67.00 CFU × 105 g-1), and actinomycetes count (12.00-42.33 CFU × 104 g-1), with the highest and lowest levels in forest soils and paddy-oilseed soils, respectively. Soil enzyme activities and microbial counts followed a pattern: forest > pasture > apple > saffron > paddy-oilseed at all three depths. Paddy-oilseed soils exhibited up to 35% lower enzyme activities than forest soils, implying that land conversion facilitates the depletion of microbiome diversity from surface soils. Additionally, reductions of 49.80% and 62.91% were observed in enzyme activity and microbial counts, respectively, with soil depth (from 0-30 to 60-90 cm). Moreover, the relationship analysis (principal component analysis and correlation) revealed a high and significant (p = 0.05) association between soil microbial and enzyme activities and physicochemical attributes. These results suggest that land conversions need to be restricted to prevent microbiome depletion, reduce the deterioration of natural resources, and ensure the sustainability of soil health.

Development, characterization and use of rosemary essential oil loaded water-chestnut starch based nanoemulsion coatings for enhancing post-harvest quality of apples var. Golden delicious.

The study aimed at evaluating the influence of water-chestnut starch-based coatings loaded with rosemary essential oil (REO) at concentrations of 0.10%, 0.25% and 0.50% (w/v) on postharvest cold storage stability of apple var. Golden delicious for 120 days. Average droplet diameter of nanoemulsions was in range of 315-450 nm and it increased with increase in the REO concentration. Minimum weight loss was observed in fruits treated with coating material containing 0.50% REO. Samples coated with starch+0.50% REO exhibited highest firmness value of 68.22 ± 1.02 N under controlled atmosphere storage (CAS). Anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were retained in all samples coated with formulated emulsion. Antifungal assay against Pencillium expansum indicated that 0.50% REO had maximum antifungal activity. Increase in REO concentration from 0.10 to 0.50% in starch coating formulations resulted in reduced lesion diameter in coated samples under both the storage conditions. Lesion diameter (LD) was found highest in control (39.40 ± 0.20 mm) under ambient conditions. Coated fruit samples showed a significant (p≤0.05) reduction in LD under both the ambient and CAS conditions however, more pronounced effect was reported under CAS. Fruits coated with edible coatings enriched with different REO concentrations under CAS exhibited significantly (p≤0.05) lower chilling injury index (ST+0.50%REO < ST+0.25%REO<0.10%REO) compared to control.

Comprehensive biochemical approach for understanding the interaction between host "common bean" and pathogen "Colletotrichum lindemuthianum" causing bean anthracnose.

Anthracnose (ANT) caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is the most devastating seed-borne fungal disease of common bean. In response to fungal infections, it is hypothesized that pathogen-plant interactions typically cause hypersensitive reactions by producing reactive oxygen species, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation of cell membranes. esent study was conducted by inoculating susceptible bean genotype "SB174" and resistant bean genotype "E10" with pathogen "C. lindemuthianum". Defense-related enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase, lipid peroxidase, and catalase) and C-based compounds (total phenols and flavonoids) were studied using the detached bean leaf method. Comparative defense response was studied in different plant tissues (pod, stem, and seed) in susceptible and resistant bean genotypes under uninoculated and pathogen-inoculated conditions. The host‒pathogen interaction was studied at mock inoculation, 2, 4 and 6 days after inoculation (dai). Comparing the pathogen-inoculated bean leaves to water-treated bean leaves, defense enzymes as well as total phenols and flavonoids exhibited differential expression. In a comparative study, the enzyme activity also displayed differential biochemical responses in pods, stems and seeds in both contrasting genotypes. For example, 5.1-fold (pod), 1.5-fold (stem) and 1.06-fold (seed) increases in ascorbate peroxidase activity were observed in the susceptible genotype at 6 dai compared to mock inoculation. Similarly, catalase activity in pods was upregulated (1.47-fold) in the resistant genotype and downregulated (1.30-fold) in the susceptible genotype at 6 dai. The study revealed that defense-related antioxidative enzymes, phenols and flavonoids are fine-tuned to detoxify important reactive oxygen species (ROS) molecules, induce systemic resistance and are successfully controlled in common bean plants against pathogen invasion.

Deciphering waste bound nitrogen by employing psychrophillic Aporrectodea caliginosa and priming of coprolites by associated heterotrophic nitrifiers under high altitude Himalayas.

Himalayan ecosystem is characterized by its fragile climate with rich repositories of biodiversity. Waste collection and disposal are becoming increasingly difficult due to topographical variations. Aporrectodea caligenosa, a versatile psychrophillic soil dweller, is a useful biocatalyst with potent bio-augmented capability for waste treatment at low temperatures. Microcosm experiments were conducted to elucidate the comprehensive nature of biogenic nitrogen transformation to NH4+ and NO3- produced by coupling of earthworm-microbes. Higher biogenic recovery of NH4+-N from coprolites of garden soil (47.73 ± 1.16%) and Himalayan goat manure (86.32 ± 0.92%) with an increment of 14.12 and 47.21% respectively over their respective control (without earthworms) with a linear decline beyond 4th week of incubation was reported. NO3--N recovery progressively sustained in garden soil and goat manure coprolites during entire incubation with highest 81.81 ± 0.45 and 87.20 ± 1.08 µg-N g-1dry weight recorded in 6th and 5th week of incubation respectively and peak increments as 38.58 and 53.71% relative to respective control (without earthworms). Declined NH4+-N in coprolites at low temperature (15.0 ± 2.0 °C) evidenced increased nitrification rates by taking over the process by abundant nitrifying microbes. Steady de-nitrification with progressive incubation on an average was 16.95 ± 0.46 ng-N g-1 per week and 21.08 ± 0.87 ng-N g-1 per week compared to 14.03 ± 0.58 ng-N g-1 per week and 4.50 ± 0.31 ng-N g-1 per week in respective control treatments. Simultaneous heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification (SHNAD) was found to be a prominent bioprocess at low temperature that resulted in high and stable total nitrogen and nitrate accumulation from garden soil and goat manure with relative recovery efficiency of 11.12%, 14.97% and 14.20%; 19.34%. A. caligenosa shows promising prospects for mass applicability in biogenic N removal from manure of Himalayan goat.

Evaluation of seedling age and nutrient sources on phenology, yield and agrometeorological indices for sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata L.).

The field experiment was conducted during Kharif season of 2020 at Agronomy farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, SKUAST-K to study the influence of age of seedling and sources of nutrients on phenology, yield and agrometeorological indices for sweet corn. The experiment included two factors viz. age of seedlings (12, 22 and 32 days old seedling) and sources of nutrients (control, RDF, 50 percent RDF + FYM @ 12 t ha-1, 50 percent RDF + vermi-compost @ 4 t ha-1 and 50 percent RDF + poultry manure @ 2 t ha-1) tested in RCBD with three replications. Transplanting 12 days old seedlings required maximum number of days to attain different phenological stages, thereby accumulated maximum heat units followed by 22 days old seedlings. While as transplanting 22 days old seedling recorded significantly highest HUE, HTUE, PTUE and HyTUE and consequently resulted in the highest green cob and biological yield compared to other ages of seedlings. Among various sources of nutrients, application of 50 per cent RDF + poultry manure @ 2 t ha-1 took maximum number of days to attain various phenophases thereby accumulated maximum heat units and registered highest HUE, HTUE, PTUE and HyTUE followed by application of 100 per cent RDF.