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The primary objectives of modern agriculture includes the environmental sustainability, low production costs, improved plants’ resilience to various biotic and abiotic stresses, and high sowing seed value. Delayed and inconsistent field emergence poses a significant threat in the production of agri-crop, especially during drought and adverse weather conditions. To open new routes of nutrients’ acquisition and revolutionizing the adapted solutions, stewardship plans will be needed to address these questions. One approach is the identification of plant based bioactive molecules capable of altering plant metabolism pathways which may enhance plant performance in a brief period of time and in a cost-effective manner. A biostimulant is a plant material, microorganism, or any other organic compound that not only improves the nutritional aspects, vitality, general health but also enhances the seed quality performance. They may be effectively utilized in both horticultural and cereal crops. The biologically active substances in biostimulant biopreparations are protein hydrolysates (PHs), seaweed extracts, fulvic acids, humic acids, nitrogenous compounds, beneficial bacterial, and fungal agents. In this review, the state of the art and future prospects for biostimulant seedlings are reported and discussed. Biostimulants have been gaining interest as they stimulate crop physiology and biochemistry such as the ratio of leaf photosynthetic pigments (carotenoids and chlorophyll), enhanced antioxidant potential, tremendous root growth, improved nutrient use efficiency (NUE), and reduced fertilizers consumption. Thus, all these properties make the biostimulants fit for internal market operations. Furthermore, a special consideration has been given to the application of biostimulants in intensive agricultural systems that minimize the fertilizers’ usage without affecting quality and yield along with the limits imposed by European Union (EU) regulations.

Now a days, farmers prefer to use Premix Formulations instead of single pesticide for the control of insects and pests. Large number of premix formulations are available in the market, Solomom OD (...

Chlorantraniliprole, a new systemic insecticide of anthranilic diamide class gaining popularity among farmers for its effective control of Lepidoptera pest particularly in vegetables. Thus monitoring of chlorantraniliprole (CAP) leftover in vegetables is required and to this end eco-friendly, cost effective, selective and accurate method was developed and validated for quantification of its left over in chilli fruit using gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) in SCAN/MRM mode with a triple Quadrupole analyzer. Two MS–MS transitions were acquired to ensure the reliable quantification and confirmation of the analyte. All calibration curve showed a good linear relationship (r > 0.99) with in test ranges (0.005–0.5 µg ml−1). To study its persistence, half-life, waiting period and decontamination behavior the field trial were performed at recommended dose and its double by Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC). Initial deposits of CAP at recommended (T1) and double (T2) the recommended doses revealed 3.16 and 4.18 mg kg−1 with their respective half-lives 1.18 and 2.05 days respectively. According to maximum residual limit i.e. 0.03 mg kg−1 by FSSAI, residues persists up to 7th and 15th day if sprayed at fruit setting stage. The extent of removal of CAP using simple decontamination approach showed 62–67% reduction on maximum residue.

The present study was done to assess the dissipation behavior, decontamination, and half-life time of ready-mix formulation of trifloxystrobin (25% w/w) and tebuconazole (50% w/w) in okra and soil under the crop after foliar spray at fruiting stage. Samples of okra and soil were collected periodically, i.e., zero (2 h after spray), 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, and 25 days after third application at a 7-day interval. Residues of these fungicides were determined by gas liquid chromatography (GLC) equipped with electron capture detector (ECD) and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GCMS-triple quadruple). The limits of quantification (LOQ) and detection (LOD) for both the fungicides were 0.01 and 0.003 mg kg-1, respectively. Washing alone with faucet water was found successful in minimizing the residues. Soil was free from residual contamination at fifth day after spraying in case of both the fungicides and at both the doses.

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) belonging to family Poaceae is a tropical perennial grass used widely for sugar production. Research scientists have discovered sugarcane as an alternative biofuel source to conventional petroleum fuels that lead to global warming. The sugars extracted from sugarcane can be easily fermented to produce ethanol. In addition, the bagasse (biomass remaining after the juice is extracted from the stalks) can be further used by sugar mills to generate steam and electricity. The current total global production of renewable fuels is 50 billion liters a year, and sugarcane alone accounts for about 40%, thus becoming a major contributor for biofuel production. The tremendous success of sugarcane industry to produce ethanol as biofuel in Brazil has also enhanced the interest in other parts of the world. With conventional technologies, sugarcane can yield several products from fiber to chemicals. But with the help of genetic recombination, sugarcane would roll to produce the novel biofuels more efficiently. Research scientists have identified the key enzymes that can hasten the process of ethanol production more powerfully. There is tremendous potential of sugarcane as a biofactory which can uplift both socioeconomic status of a country and sustainability of natural resources. Now, it’s time to augment weightage to produce biofuels in developing countries like India which would initiate rural development, create more job opportunities, and also save foreign exchange to great extent.