Somu Murugesan Vinodhini

Fibre crops represent a significant category of economically valuable plants, traditionally cultivated for their fibres but now increasingly recognized for diverse applications, including food, animal feed, cosmetics and medicine. Natural fibres offer a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based synthetics, contributing to their growing prominence in technological and industrial innovations. This bibliometric analysis reviews global research trends on natural fibres from 2000 to 2023, providing insights into author performance, journal impact, institutional contributions and country involvement. The study analyses 2027 publications, revealing a steady annual growth rate of 5.82 % in publications. Across 601 sources, peer-reviewed articles dominate, averaging 22.33 citations per article, with 80535 references indicating a robust scholarly discourse. The analysis highlights the international scope of fibre crop research, with contributions from 78 countries, led by China, India and the USA. China accounts for the highest number of single-country publications, while nations like Pakistan and the Netherlands exhibit strong international collaboration. A detailed keyword analysis reveals dominant themes, including cotton, mechanical properties and the rise of sustainable materials such as hemp and kenaf. These trends mirror the increasing demand for eco-friendly fibres and the industry's shift towards sustainable innovations across diverse sectors. This comprehensive analysis underscores the evolving significance of natural fibres in global research and their potential to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Pelleted feeds ensure balanced nutrition, improved digestibility, long-term preservation and enhanced palatability, making them vital for livestock during lean seasons. With the growing demand for optimized feed formulations, evaluating complex nutritional data has become crucial. However, ranking feed combinations using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods remains a significant challenge. This study, conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during 2024–2025, assessed 27 fodder pellet combinations using a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) framework that integrated the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Pellets comprised Bajra Napier hybrid, Guinea grass, Fodder maize and legumes such as Lucerne, Desmanthus and Agathi, combined with crop residues from rice, maize and groundnut. Nutritional parameters, including crude protein, fibre fractions (ADF, NDF, ADL, cellulose and hemicellulose), crude fat, total ash, palatability and in vitro dry matter digestibility, were studied. AHP assigned weights to each parameter, while TOPSIS ranked combinations by closeness to the ideal solution. The Bajra Napier Hybrid + Agathi + Groundnut haulms combination had the highest TOPSIS score (0.8808), indicating superior nutritional performance. This study validates AHP-TOPSIS as a reliable tool for optimizing fodder pellet formulations. Correlation studies showed a negative relationship among various pellet formulations. Guinea grass + Desmanthus + Maize stover exhibited the highest crude fibre content (32 %) with moderate digestibility (66 %), indicating greater fibre accumulation. Conversely, Fodder Maize + Agathi + Groundnut haulms had a lower crude fibre content (28%) but achieved a digestibility of 64%, making it a favourable choice for improved nutrient bioavailability. The findings from this study can guide feed industries and farmers in selecting nutritionally balanced, cost-effective pellet combinations that contribute to local fodder availability and support sustainable livestock nutrition strategies.

Pearl millet, often called the 'Poor Man’s Food,' is vital for millions of low-income households. A field experiment was conducted at Manathal village, Salem district, Tamil Nadu, during June-August 2021. The study followed an RBD design with three replications. There were altogether thirteen treatments viz., T1 - Control, T2 - Seed treatment with 2 % KCl + soil application of vermicompost (VC) @ 5 t ha-1, T3 - Seed treatment with 3 % Panchagavya + soil application of VC @ 5 t ha-1, T4 - Seed treatment with 2 % KCl + soil application of humic acid (HA) @ 25 kg ha-1, T5 - Seed treatment with 3 % Panchagavya + soil application of HA @ 25 kg ha-1, T6 - Seed treatment with 2 % Kcl + soil application of seaweed extract (SE) @ 25 kg ha-1, T7 - Seed treatment with 3 % Panchagavya + soil application of SE @ 25 kg ha-1, T8 - T2 + foliar application of 19:19:19 @ 25 days after sowing (DAS), T9 - T3 + foliar application of 19:19:19 @ 25 DAS, T10 - T4 + foliar application of 19:19:19 @ 25 DAS, T11 - T5 + foliar application of 19:19:19 @ 25 DAS, T12 - T6 + foliar application of 19:19:19 @ 25 DAS, T13 - T7 + foliar application of 19:19:19 @ 25 DAS. Seed treatment with 2 % KCl + soil application of VC @ 5 t ha-1 + foliar spray of 19:19:19 @ 25 DAS (T8) showed superior performance of pearl millet under rainfed conditions.

A field trial was conducted at the Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute (ADAC & RI), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Tiruchirappalli during the Samba season of 2020 and 2021 to evaluate the effect of foliar applications of vermiwash, panchagavya and jeevamrutha on rice productivity. The chosen experimental design was Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications, comprising seven treatments. These included the standard recommended fertilizer dose (187.5:50:50 kg NPK ha-1) alone and in combination with either a 2.5 % or 5 % spray of vermiwash, panchagavya, or jeevamrutha. Foliar applications of vermiwash, panchagavya and jeevamrutha were applied at panicle initiation, tillering and flowering stages in the variety TNAU Rice TRY 3. The results demonstrated that combining the recommended dosage of the fertilizers (187.5:50:50 kg NPK ha-1) with 5 % vermiwash foliar spray remarkably enhanced growth parameters such as total number of tillers, plant height and total accumulation of dry matter while also improving physiological traits (e.g., SPAD value) and yield components, including productive tillers, test weight, grains per panicle and both grain and straw yield.

Minor millets encompass more minerals and nutrients than other food grains. They are being cultivated in limited areas due to poor yielding ability and lack of improved technologies (pelleting, sowing methods, land configurations and supplemental irrigation). Mechanization has been adopted intensively by the farming community, for the last two decades for most of the crop production activities. In minor millet production, mechanization has not been adopted notably and there was no strong evidence for mechanization under the minor millet production system. The present research study assessed the establishment (germination, plant population, seed vigour index, seedling height and root length) of minor millet (Italian millet) under mechanization coupled with improved technologies. The strategies included Pelleting (PS) and Non-pelleting (NPS), land configurations (RF-Ridges and Furrow; CB-Compartmental Bunding; BBF-Broad Bed Furrow; FB-Flat Bed) sowing methods (DS-Drone Sowing; LS-Line Sowing and SDS-Seed Driller Sowing) and irrigation methods (MSI- Modified Surge Irrigation; RG-Rain Gun) for evaluation. A Randomized Block Design with three replications was used for the experiment layout during the Rabi season of 2023 and 2024. Observations were made and data subjected to ANNOVA and t-test. The results revealed that treatments IT-1, (FB+PS+DS+RG) recorded (P<0.05) significant higher germination per cent (48.67 %), plant population (88.40/m2), lower cost of sowing (Rs. 2100/-) and IT-7, (CB+PS+DS+RG) observed higher number of leaves (4.14), seed vigour index (2784.49), seedling height (7.03 cm) and root length (12.50 cm). Treatment IT-3, (BBF+PS+SDS+RG) registered (P<0.05) significant lower germination per cent, plant population, number of leaves, seed vigour index, seedling height and root length, registered treatment.

Integrating crop and livestock production, especially with cattle, is vital for food security and economic growth in India. The livestock sector helps increase farm income, boosts the national economy, and provides employment opportunities for millions of people. However, productivity lags global standards due to shortages of quality feeds, including green fodder, dry fodder, and concentrates. Stagnant fodder crop cultivation and dwindling permanent pastures exacerbate the challenge of meeting the rising demand for milk and meat. Addressing these issues is crucial for enhancing livestock productivity and sustaining agriculture. This review highlights the importance of fodder pelletization, compressing animal feeds into dense pellets using a pellet mill. Pelleted feeds offer balanced diets, improved digestibility, and nutrient absorption, with benefits including long-lasting preservation, enhanced handling, stability, bulk density, and palatability. Factors influencing the pelleting process, such as ingredient characteristics, drying, grinding, conditioning, steam pressure, and moisture content, are examined in depth. The positive effects of pelleted feed on ruminant growth and productivity, particularly in cattle and goats, are emphasized, including improvements in milk yield, weight gain, and reproductive performance. These findings emphasize the potential of pelletized feed to address challenges related to fodder scarcity, feed wastage, and transportation costs. This provides valuable insights for efficient diet management in livestock production.

Finger millet is a traditional food crop that holds immense significance due to its versatility, climate resilience, and higher nutritional value. Finger millet growers face challenges due to poor soil properties and environmental conditions. To meet the growing demand, finger millet production must be substantially increased through suitable organic nutrient management practices. Hence, the present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of organic nutrient management on the productivity and profitability of finger millet. Field experiments were conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2019 and 2020 at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tiruchirappalli in a randomized block design with three replications. The treatments comprised of 100 and 125% N equivalent either through farmyard manure (FYM) or vermicompost or composted poultry manure, 50% N equivalent FYM + 50% N equivalent vermicompost, 50% N equivalent FYM + 50% N equivalent composted poultry manure, 50% N equivalent vermicompost + 50% N equivalent composted poultry manure and 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (60: 30: 30 kg NPK/ha) + FYM (12.5 t/ha). Finger millet variety TRY 1 was used as test crop. The results revealed that the application of 100% RDF (60: 30: 30 kg NPK/ha) + FYM (12.5 t/ha) registered significantly higher growth, yield attributes and yield of finger millet than other treatments. However, it was comparable with 125% N equivalent vermicompost (3.8 t/ha) and 125% N equivalent composted poultry manure (3.5 t/ha). With regard to economics, application of 125% N equivalent composted poultry manure (3.5 t/ha) registered higher net return (Rs.41621/ha) and benefit cost ratio (BCR) (2.28) over other treatments. Hence, application of 125% N equivalent vermicompost (3.8 t/ha) or 125% N equivalent composted poultry manure (3.5 t/ha) could be recommended as organic nutrient management strategy for getting higher productivity and profitability of irrigated finger millet under sodic soil.

The concentration of atmospheric CO2 is currently at around 415 ppm and is increasing by approximately 2-3 ppm annually. This rise is mainly caused by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels for energy production, industrial processes, and changes in land use. Although annual emission rates have fluctuated, they generally remain high, with recent estimates indicating around 40-45 GtCO2 being emitted each year. This chapter examines the crucial involvement of terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems in carbon sequestration, a key process in contending climate change. By investigating various mechanisms such as terrestrial vegetation absorption of carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and the deposition of organic material in marine sediments, the chapter elucidates the intricate connections between these ecosystems and their impact on the global carbon cycle and regulating climate and stresses the vital requirement for cooperative efforts to ensure their ability to sequester carbon for the benefit of future generations.