Search

Soil salinity is a worldwide concern that decreases plant growth performance in agricultural fields and contributes to food scarcity. Salt stressors have adverse impacts on the plant's ionic, osmotic, and oxidative balance, as well as numerous physiological functions. Plants have a variety of coping strategies to deal with salt stress, including osmosensing, osmoregulation, ion-homeostasis, increased antioxidant synthesis, and so on. Not only does salt stress cause oxidative stress but also many types of stress do as well, thus plants have an effective antioxidant system to battle the negative effects of excessive reactive oxygen species produced as a result of stress. Rising salinity in the agricultural field affects crop productivity and plant development considerably; nevertheless, plants have a well-known copying mechanism that shields them from salt stress by facilitated production of secondary metabolites, antioxidants, ionhomeostasis, ABAbiosynthesis, and so on. To address this problem, various environment-friendly solutions such as salt-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, eco-friendly additives, and foliar applications of osmoprotectants/antioxidants are urgently needed. CRISPR/Cas9, a new genetic scissor, has recently been discovered to be an efficient approach for reducing salt stress in plants growing in saline soil. Understanding the processes underlying these physiological and biochemical responses to salt stress might lead to more effective crop yield control measures in the future. In order to address this information, the current review discusses recent advances in plant stress mechanisms against salinity stress-mediated antioxidant systems, as well as the development of appropriate long-term strategies for plant growth mediated by CRISPR/Cas9 techniques under salinity stress.

Nutrient index methods and fertility indicators can be used to determine the fertility status of soils. The information can be used to develop soil management strategies for farmers. The research was conducted in the Rewa district of Fiji, to assess soil fertility status using the nutrient index approach. Taro (Colocasia esculenta) growing farms were selected from three sub-districts of Rewa province for the present investigation and collected soil samples were analyzed in accordance with standard procedures for evaluating chemical parameters and the status of available nutrients in the soil. The study discovered that the soils of farms are acidic in reaction, have low levels of organic carbon and phosphorus, and are moderate in nitrogen and potassium nutrients, however, the soils had a high content of calcium and magnesium. The nutrient index value (NIV) calculated for organic carbon and nitrogen were recorded as low at 1.60 and 1.43 respectively. The NIV calculated for exchangeable phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium content was recorded as high with 4.46,3.10 and 2.35 respectively. The soil fertility for potassium content was in the medium category with a value of 2.01. The results of this study are expected to help build future research plans for the Rewa taro farms and guide necessary methods for sustainable soil fertility management.

Background: Nutrient index methods and fertility indicators can be used to determine the fertility status of soils. The information can be used to develop soil management strategies for farmers. Methods: The research was conducted in the Rewa district of Fiji, with an aim to assess soil fertility status using the nutrient index approach. A total of 57 cassava-growing farms were selected from three sub-districts of Rewa province for the present investigation and collected soil samples were analyzed in accordance with standard procedures for evaluating chemical parameters and the status of available nutrients in the soil. Result: The study discovered that the soils of farms are acidic in reaction, have low levels of organic carbon, low to moderate levels of major primary nutrients, however, the soils had a high content of calcium and magnesium. The soil nutrient index value calculated of soil organic carbon and available phosphorus were recorded as low with 1.48 and 1.40 respectively. The NIV for nitrogen and potassium content was medium category values of 1.91 and 1.95, respectively. The nutrient index value calculated for exchangeable calcium and magnesium content was recorded as high with 2.75 and 2.35 values respectively.

Funder: International Fund for Agricultural Development, CONTEXT: COVID-19 mitigation measures including border lockdowns, social distancing, de-urbanization and restricted movements have been enforced to reduce the risks of COVID-19 arriving and spreading across PICs. To reduce the negative impacts of COVID-19 mitigation measures, governments have put in place a number of interventions to sustain food and income security. Both mitigation measures and interventions have had a number of impacts on agricultural production, food systems and dietary diversity at the national and household levels. OBJECTIVE: Our paper conducted an exploratory analysis of immediate impacts of both COVID-19 mitigation measures and interventions on households and communities in PICs. Our aim is to better understand the implications of COVID-19 for PICs and identify knowledge gaps requiring further research and policy attention. METHODS: To understand the impacts of COVID-19 mitigation measures and interventions on food systems and diets in PICs, 13 communities were studied in Fiji and Solomon Islands in July-August 2020. In these communities, 46 focus group discussions were carried out and 425 households were interviewed. Insights were also derived from a series of online discussion sessions with local experts of Pacific Island food and agricultural systems in August and September 2020. To complement these discussions, an online search was conducted for available literature. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Identified impacts include: 1) Reduced agricultural production, food availability and incomes due to a decline in local markets and loss of access to international markets; 2) Increased social conflict such as land disputes, theft of high-value crops and livestock, and environmental degradation resulting from urban-rural migration; 3) Reduced availability of seedlings, planting materials, equipment and labour in urban areas; 4) Reinvigoration of traditional food systems and local food production; and 5) Re-emergence of cultural safety networks and values, such as barter systems. Households in rural and urban communities appear to have responded positively to COVID-19 by increasing food production from home gardens, particularly root crops, vegetables and fruits. However, the limited diversity of agricultural production and decreased household incomes are reducing the already low dietary diversity score that existed pre-COVID-19 for households. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings have a number of implications for future policy and practice. Future interventions would benefit from being more inclusive of diverse partners, focusing on strengthening cultural and communal values, and taking a systemic and long-term perspective. COVID-19 has provided an opportunity to strengthen traditional food systems and re-evaluate, re-imagine and re-localize agricultural production strategies and approaches in PICs.

Fijian sugar industry is a major performer in Fiji's national economy, although it has been challenged by a range of problems alongside its journey. The latest vulnerability of the amplifying pandemic of the novel COVID-19 (coronavirus) has influenced the sugar industry and its interrelated ventures, in Fiji, and, all through the world. The entire supply chain of the sugar industry has been affected by spillover effects. The Fiji sugarcane industry amidst COVID-19 pandemic and concrete steps taken in response by the government and industry during these difficult times are deliberated in this paper.

Toxicity of nanoparticles in the aquatic environment is of serious concern as increasing concentration of nanoparticles potentially affects the aquatic plants and animals living in the aquatic ecosystem. Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) are derived from anthropogenic sources, which are highly stable and uniform in distribution. In the aquatic environment, there is an alarming situation and indefinite safety use for the ENPs. The ENPs interact with aquatic organisms at trophic levels (lower and upper levels) throughout the aquatic food chain. Advancement is rendered in the evaluation of bioaccumulation in recent years, and the transfer in trophic level of ENPs. While findings of numerous studies carried out in different locations of the world have proved the noxious consequences of nanomaterials upon the organism's in the aquatic environment as well as in what manner they impact food chain resulting in bioaccumulation, affecting marine animals’ wellbeing, development, reproduction, and physiology. We are exploring the nanotoxicity in the aquatic food chain and aquatic species, trophic transition, and biomagnification in this chapter. The critical points of the study are that ENPs are able to go up to three trophic stages in the aquatic food chain. Biomagnification of various nanoparticles (quantum dots, nAu, nCeO2 and nTiO2) fit for two trophic levels have a biomagnification ratio greater than one. Not many studies on the third trophic stage nevertheless demonstrated biomagnification. The deposition of ENPs in aquatic plants and animals has also been shown to affect physiological processes of different organisms.

Background: Maize is used both as green cobs and for grains and it is in increasing demand throughout Fiji. Maize productivity is low and could be attributed primarily to climate, low soil fertility and inappropriate agronomic practices.Methods: The experiment was laid out on maize variety Nirala in a randomized block design with three replications and six treatments comprising NPK, poultry manure and its combinations. Parameters on plant height (cm), number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf width, stem girth, grain yield were recorded and collected data was analyzed statistically applying the analysis of variance technique. Result: Results reveled that among the all combinations, 100% NPK (300 kg/ha) along with PM @ 10 t ha-1 recorded higher plant height (204.00 cm), number of leaves per plant (12.87), maximum production efficiency (20.93 Kg/day/ha) and significantly superior (2511 kg/ha) grain yield and was most effective for improving growth and yield of maize.

Background: French bean is used both as dry seeds or as green pod vegetable and it is in increasing demand throughout Fiji. Limited agronomical information is available for its cultivation which is one of the barriers in increasing its production in country. This research aimed to study the influence of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth and yield of (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Fiji. Methods: This research was conducted during April to September 2018 in a Randomized Block Design with three replications and seven treatments of organic and inorganic fertilizers. Observations on growth parameters and yield attributes were recorded and analyzed using analysis of variance technique. Result: Organic and inorganic fertilizers combinations significantly increase the growth and green pod yield of French bean. The applications of nutrient in combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers were found more effective than inorganic fertilizers or organic manure alone for growth and yield of French bean. The combination of 100% NPK (200 kg ha-1) along with Poultry manure @ 5 t ha-1 was found most effective for enhancing growth and yield. It was recorded that on the basis of yield and growth performance treatment 100% NPK along with PM @ 5 t ha-1 was superior.

A field trial was conducted to study mungbean crop performance and production potential under sulphur fertilization with recommended dose of NPK whereby, 17 treatments were replicated thrice. The maximum plant height (51.2 cm), grain yield plant-1 (5.7 g) and pods plant -1 (16.0) were recorded under (T15:100% RD of NPK+S). T15:100% RD of NPK+S was found significantly superior to other treatments and recorded maximum grain yield (1524 Kg ha-1). T15:100% RD of NPK+S was significantly superior to all treatments except T16:125% RD of NPK+S and recorded maximum stover yield (2696 Kg ha-1). T15:100% RD of NPK+S recorded significantly superior harvest index followed by T14:75% RD of NPK+S and T16:125% RD of NPK+S. The maximum production efficiency (25.4 Kg day-1 ha-1) was recorded in T15:100% RD of NPK+S which was at par with T16:125% RD of NPK+S and significantly higher compared to all other treatments.

A field trial was conducted to study mungbean crop performance and production potential under sulphur fertilization with recommended dose of NPK whereby, seventeen treatments were replicated thrice. Results showed that treatment T15:100% RD of NPK+S was found significantly superior to other treatments and recorded maximum grain yield. This was significantly superior to all treatments except treatment T16:125% RD of NPK+S and recorded maximum stover yield. Seed yield of mung bean exhibited significant variation under different combinations of nutrients and declined significantly with successive decreasing sulphur application. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake by seed and stover increased significantly to the higher value (40.20 to 36.20 kg ha-1) with highest in treatment T15:100% RD of NPK+S and lowest in treatment T17: Control in both seed and stover. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium removal by seed and stover (total uptake) increased significantly with recommended dose of sulphur fertilization.

An investigation was carried out on mungbean at crop research centre of S.V.P. University of Agriculture and Technology Meerut Uttar Pradesh during spring season 2010. Field experiment was conducted consisting 17 treatments combination and laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with 3 replications on mungbean variety SML-668 which showed a significant variations among themselves in the the Leg-haemoglobin content of nodules, which was highest during the 30 DAS, and decreased during 40 DAS, 50 DAS and was minimum at harvest stage in all the treatments. Improved fertilization of sulphur through various treatments increased the Leg – haemoglobin content of nodules significantly over T17 (control) treatment. Variety SML-668 showed significant variations among themselves in the activity of RuBP case at vegetative, early pod setting and active pod filling stage. The magnitude of enzyme activity was in the range of 33.21 to 9.71 mg CO2 dm−2 hr−1 during vegetative stage, in treatment T15 (23.18) as compared to T17 control (9.71). During early pod setting (33.21) and during active pod filling stage (27.42).