Subramani Umesh Kanna

Multifunctional agroforestry (MFA) systems are sustainable land-use systems that combine trees with crops and/or livestock to provide multiple ecological, economic and social benefits. However, evidence regarding their multifunctional ecosystem-service performance relative to conventional agroforestry (AF) and monocropping (MC) systems remains fragmented. Therefore, this review aimed to evaluate the ecological functions and ecosystem-service contributions of MFA systems through an evidence-based narrative review approach Literature published between 1990 and 2025 was reviewed to compare MFA, AF and MC systems for carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, biodiversity conservation and soil-water conservation, with emphasis on widely used tree species such as Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth, Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit, Faidherbia albida (Delile) A.Chev., Azadirachta indica A.Juss., Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre and Grevillea robusta A.Cunn. ex R.Br. The review indicates that MFA systems generally exhibit greater carbon storage, higher annual sequestration potential, improved nutrient retention and recycling, enhanced biodiversity and superior soil and water conservation functions compared with AF and MC systems. These benefits are primarily associated with structural diversity, multilayer vegetation, continuous biomass inputs and stronger ecological interactions. However, system performance varies according to climate, soil conditions, species composition, management practices and system age. Overall, MFA systems represent a promising approach for climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable land management, although further long-term studies and standardised monitoring frameworks are required to strengthen evidence-based adoption and policy implementation.

Oilseeds are vital in India’s agriculture and nutrition, providing essential oils and proteins. They are a cornerstone of the edible oil industry, with India being one of the largest consumers globally and a major importer of edible oils from Indonesia and Malaysia. Investigations were carried out within the fifteen seed sources of Simarouba Glauca, to elucidate information on the best seed source in terms of storage potential and seed source. The results of the study on physical and physiological observations illustrated that Akola seed source performed better for hundred seed weight (98.64g), germination (75.75%), root length (12.42cm), shoot length (9.33cm), dry matter production (0.972g) and vigour index (75). The above results showed that among the seed variation, Akola seeds were resistant to adapt seed storage variability within 4, 8 and 12 months. This study thus provides valuable information for selecting and preserving Simarouba Glauca seeds for future planting and conservation efforts.

The rapid growth of cities and the shift toward highly urbanized lifestyles have distanced humanity from its innate connection with nature. This disconnection has taken a toll on mental health, physical well-being and overall quality of life. Biophilic gardens emerge as a revolutionary approach to reconnect people with nature by weaving natural elements into the fabric of urban environments. Rooted in the biophilia hypothesis, it emphasizes the profound psychological and physiological benefits of integrating features like greenery, natural light and organic forms into built spaces. This review explores the evolution of biophilic gardens, distinguishing it from sustainable design while underscoring its unique focus on nurturing human-nature relationships. Practical strategies, from incorporating green walls and water features in buildings to creating biodiverse urban landscapes, are discussed alongside compelling real-world examples. Projects like Singapore’s Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Milan’s Bosco Verticale demonstrate how Biophilic gardens can transform spaces into vibrant, health-promoting ecosystems, enhancing well-being, productivity and environmental resilience. While the benefits are undeniable, challenges such as costs, maintenance and scalability remain hurdles. Looking ahead, the integration of smart technologies, biomimicry and regenerative practices could unlock new possibilities. Biophilic gardens offers a hopeful vision for the future, where cities become havens of harmony between humans and nature, fostering healthier, more sustainable communities.

The medicinal plant Ximenia americana L., often called hog plum or wild olive, is indigenous to Africa and some regions of India and is well-known for its wide range of therapeutic uses. The phytochemical contents and therapeutic potential of X.americana are the primary focus of this review, which focuses on the antibacterial (anti-Helicobacter pylori) and antioxidant potentials. People have long used this plant to cure various illnesses, including fever, gastrointestinal issues and skin infections. Recent research has emphasized its substantial antioxidant potential, with leaf extracts demonstrating potent free radical scavenging properties. Studies on antimicrobials have validated their historical use in folk medicine, demonstrating notable efficacy against various harmful bacteria and fungi. However, researchers are still investigating their potential to combat H.pylori. Phytochemical analyses from multiple studies found a wealth of bioactive substances, including flavonoids, tannins and saponins, adding to its therapeutic advantages. This review highlights the value of X.americana as a natural resource and the need for more study to thoroughly understand its mechanism of action and possible uses in contemporary medicine, especially for illnesses linked to oxidative stress and infections caused by Helicobacter pylori. The anti-H. pylori action of epicatechin, rutin, cumaroyl-o-galloyl-glucose, quinic acid and procyanidin derived from X.americana via molecular docking is therefore highlighted in this review along with the bioprospection. Our results, however, call for more research on the bioactive extrolites of X. americana and their unique interaction with PPX/GppA in complex with GNP proteins to better acknowledge their potential as a treatment for H. pylori.

In this study, an extensive exploration survey of wild progeny was conducted which yielded 18 candidate plus trees (CPTs) of Terminalia bellerica. Seeds of these CPTs were collected from diverse locations between 10°54′ and 28°07′ E longitude, and 76°27′ and 95°32′ N latitude, covering 18 different locations across 5 states of the Indian subcontinent. The objective of the progeny trial was to assess genetic associations and variability in growth and physio-chemical characteristics. Significant variations (p < 0.05) were observed among the growth traits, encompassing plant height, basal diameter, girth at breast height and volume, as well as physio-chemical characteristics such as leaf length, width, area and chlorophyll content, carotenoids, and protein in the progeny trial. Broad-sense heritability (h²_b) estimates were consistently high, exceeding 80% for all growth and physiological related traits under investigation except for plant height, leaf length, and girth at breast height. A correlation study revealed that selecting based on plant height, leaf area, and girth at breast height effectively enhances T. bellerica volume. A moderate genetic advance in percent of the mean (GAM) was observed for most traits, except leaf length, leaf width, girth at breast height, and plant height. Across all 13 traits, phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) surpassed genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV). Utilizing principal component analysis (PCA) and dendrogram construction categorized the genotypes into seven distinct groups. In conclusion, the study has demonstrated that targeting girth at breast height and plant height would be a highly effective strategy for the establishment of elite seedling nurseries and clonal seed nurseries for varietal and hybridization programs in the future.

Agroforestry has been practicedtraditionally in India in the form of subsistence farming, but is being increasingly recognized from the economic point of view, in addition to its positive contribution to the wood-based industrial sector, which has recent origin. Low forest cover, poor productivity and legal restrictions coupled with an increasing demand for wood and wood products due to increasing population, industries and associated policy changes have ushered in a total mismatch between demand and supply. This has attracted increasing attention towards agroforestry. The National Forest Policy of India 1988 has directed all wood-based industries to generate their own raw material resources by linking farmers and extending technology and market support. However, these directives were not taken seriously, and consequently, the achievements that should have taken place in industrial agroforestry and plantation establishment are dismally modest for want of suitable institutional mechanism to resolve the research gaps that exist in the entire Production to Consumption System (PCS). Against this backdrop, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has pioneered research by creating a value chain in industrial agroforestry which was initially demonstrated in 200 ha of farmlands through technological, organizational and marketing interventions. Incorporationof high yielding short rotation (HYSR) clones, precision silviculture technology, adoption of multifunctional agroforestry and value addition technology are the major technological interventions that attracted more farmers towards agroforestry development. Conceptualization and successful practice of the contract tree farming model, particularly the quadripartite contract farming model, ensured institutional linkage among the value chain players and facilitated technology transfer, assured buy back, price support system and also institutional credit and insurance. The provision of a market support system for a wide range of pulp wood, plywood, timber, and match wood exerted a significant influence among tree-growing farmers. In order to sustain these value chain innovations and interventions, an institutional mechanism, namely the Consortium of Industrial Agroforestry (CIAF), was established in 2015, which linked all value chain players and aided in resolving the issues in the entire production to consumption system (PCS) of agroforestry on a sustainable basis. Over the years, these innovative interventions have had a significant impact in terms of area increase, productivity and profitability improvement coupled with safeguarding the social and environmental concerns of agroforestry farmers from a holistic perspective. The Consortium-based Value Chain on Industrial Agroforestry model has a very good replication potential not only within India, but also elsewhere across the global landscape.