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Abstract: Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig belongs to the family Zingiberaceae, generally known as butterfly ginger, butterfly lily, cinnamon jasmine, garland flower and ginger lily. It is a medicinal plant grown throughout India, Southeast Asian countries, China, Japan, and Brazil. Traditionally, it is used as a febrifuge, tonic, anti-rheumatic, used to treat asthma, headache, arthritis, bronchitis, blood diseases, eye diseases, gastric diseases, and many other diseases. H. coronarium contains important secondary metabolites such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, oxides, phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, labdane diterpenes, and sesquiterpenes. Limonene, myrcene, p-cymene, camphene, γ-terpinene, β-pinene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, α-pinene, and 10-epi-γ-eudesmol have been identified as the main constituents of volatile oils of H. coronarium along with the key elements like trans-meta-mentha-2, 8-diene, linalool, α-terpineol, terpin-4-ol, α-pinene, γ-terpinene, and camphene. Phytochemical studies on various solvent extracts of H. coronarium revealed that the plant holds the diterpenes- coronarin-A-I, isocoronarin-D, pacovatin A; sesquiterpene- (+)-nerolidol, hedychiol A, hedychiol B 8,9-diacetate; sterols- daucosterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol and flavonoid- 5-hydroxy-3,7,4’-trimethoxyflavon, chrysin. Coronarin D, a bioactive compound, is reported for anti-cancer activities of H. coronarium. Diterpenes isolated from H. coronarium extracts and essential have been reported as antioxidant, antitumor, antidiabetic, antiproliferative, antihelmintic, mosquitocidal, larvicidal, antilithiatic, chemopreventive, antiophidian, insecticide, antifungal, allelopathic, and antimicrobial agent. Based on the literature, the essential oils, extracts and isolated active compounds of H. coronarium could be used to develop as flavor and fragrance agents, food preservatives, botanical pesticide, neutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. This review paper aims to go over traditional uses, phytochemical analysis, pharmacological activities, scientific techniques for variety development, conservation, and proper utilization and identify future opportunities for H. coronarium.

The application of different forms of organic material is a traditional strategy used to sustain soil fertility by replenishing soil organic matter (SOM) and enhancing nutrient profile for crops. This study focuses on the comparative efficacy of biochar prepared from locally available invasive weed biomass (Parthenium hysterophorus L. and Lantana camara L.) with or without inorganic fertilization on soil properties and nutrient availability in post harvested soils. Results revealed that soil bulk density (BD) was significantly decreased with application of biochar @ 5 t ha-1 and 10 t ha-1 along with 75% RDF (Recommended dose of fertilizers) as compared to control while water holding capacity (WHC) significantly increased in the range of 18.40-32.78% as compared to RDF by the application of Parthenium hysterophorus L. and Lantana camara L. biochar @ 2.5 t ha-1, 5.0 t ha-1 and 10.0 t ha-1 along with 75% RDF. It was also observed that Parthenium hysterophorus L. and Lantana camara L. biochar along with 75% RDF addition to soil increased SOC (5.17 g kg-1 to 7.99 g kg-1) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) by 3.36-37.14% as compared with control, depending on the quantity of biochar application. Similar trends were also reported in case of available macro and micro nutrients in the post harvest soil. Therefore, application of invasive weed biochar with inorganic fertilization is considered as promising strategy for improve physical and chemical properties of soils and soil health in semi-arid ecosystem.

Abstract: Medicinal and aromatic plants are known to have a number of biologically active compounds. Since ancient times, such plants have been used in ethnopharmacology. A number of medicines have been developed from plant origin by researchers and Researchers continue to be interested in plant-based medicines.. Zingiberaceae is a well-known plant family for such types of medicinal and aromatic plants. Zingiber is the third largest genus of this family and Zingiber roseum (Roxb.) Roscoe is a medicinal and aromatic Z. roseum is a rhizomatous perennial herbaceous plant of this genus, popularly known as “Rosy Ginger” and “Jangli Adrak,” utilized in the Siddha arrangement of medication, and its rhizomes have been used to treat injury, cough, asthma, skin illnesses, gastric ulcers, liver diseases, and heartburn in tradition. It also has ethnopharmacological uses, such as the rhizome of Z. roseum is used for digestion, relieving giddiness, and as a stimulant. Apart from this, it has been reported for several pharmacological activities such as antispasmodic, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities, etc. Z. roseum is a reservoir of several chemical constituents such as terpenes and terpenoids such as linalool, α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, etc., phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and ascorbic acid along with important unique constituents such as zerumbone which are responsible for its medicinal and other biological activities. In this review article, we discussed the thorough knowledge published by researchers regarding the phytochemistry, ethnopharmacological, and mediational properties of Z. roseum and its botanical descriptions.

Globba sessiliflora Sims is an aromatic rhizomatous herb of family Zingiberaceae which is endemic to Peninsular India. This study first reports the phytochemical profile and pesticidal potential of oleoresins obtained from the aerial and rhizome parts of Globba sessiliflora Sims. The oleoresins were prepared by the cold percolation method and were analyzed by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. Both the oleoresins varied greatly in composition, the major compounds identified in aerial part oleoresin (GSAO) were methyl linoleate, methyl palmitate, and phytol, while the major compounds present in rhizome part oleoresin (GSRO) were γ-sitosterol, 8 (17),12-labdadiene-15, 16-dial, methyl linoleate, and methyl palmitate. In order to evaluate the biological activities, the oleoresins were tested under laboratory conditions for nematicidal action and inhibition of egg hatching potential against root knot nematode, where GSRO was more effective. Insecticidal activity was performed against mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi and castor hairy caterpillar, Selepa celtis. In case of mustard aphid, GSRO (LC50 = 154.8 ppm) was more effective than GSAO (LC50 = 263.0 ppm), while GSAO (LC50 = 346.7.0 ppm) was more effective against castor hairy caterpillar than GSRO (LC50 = 398.1 ppm). The herbicidal activity was performed in the receptor species Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus, and the oleoresins showed different intensities for seed germination inhibition and coleoptile and radical length inhibition. Molecular docking studies were conducted to screen the in vitro activities and through molecular docking, it was found that the major oleoresins components were able to interact with the binding pocket of HPPD and AChE with γ-sitosterol showing the best binding affinity.

An observational study was carried out to assess the soil fertility attributes of three districts (i.e. Jhansi, Datia and Tikamgarh) of the Bundelkhand region of central India. Soil samples were collected randomly from 0-15 cm soil depth using a soil auger with a diameter of 5 cm and followed the standard protocols for assessing the soil fertility attributes. A total number of samples were 58 (randomly selected sites). The soil reaction was neutral to strongly alkaline (pH 7.28-9.71) in nature. The electrical conductivity (EC) values were low (0.01- 0.89 dS m-1) indicating that of no harmful effect on crop growth. Most of the soils were found under low category of soil organic carbon (SOC), available nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). The available potassium (K) and sulphur (S) were found in the range between 68.32 to 781.76 kg ha-1 and 7.97 to 273.24 kg ha-1, respectively. With respect to DTPA extractable micronutrients i.e. copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were in sufficient range but boron (B), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) were in low category. Based on the Soil Nutrient Index (SNI), the soils of the study area were found in low fertility status for N and P and medium in SOC and K. The SNI for S was ranging from medium to high fertility category. Thus, SOC, N, P, K, B, Fe and Mn were the key soil fertility constraints in the Jhansi, Datia and Tikamgarh districts of the Bundelkhand region. The balanced use of chemical fertilizers and micronutrients (B, Fe and Mn) based on the soil test results along with the combination of bio-fertilizers and organic manures as an integrated nutrient management (INM) approach could greatly help in maintaining the soil fertility and sustainable crop production in Bundelkhand region of central India.

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) can survive extreme environmental condition and is known for its fodder potential in many parts of the world. The morphological diversity of 15 introduced accessions was evaluated at Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The plants were established in 2013. Survival and nutrient status were evaluated after two years. Above-ground plant height, biomass, primary and secondary cladode numbers, primary and secondary cladode lengths and below-ground root length, weight, and surface area measurements were done six years after cladode planting. Yellow San Cono, White Roccapalumba, and Seedless Roccapalumba survived 100%. The discriminant traits according to principal component analysis were: primary cladodes plant−1 (component loading, 0.87), primary cladodes biomass (0.95), secondary cladodes plant−1 (0.83), canopy width (0.84), and plant biomass (0.92). Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped 15 accessions into two main clusters based on 17 morphological traits. Cluster I showed favorable values for many above- and below-ground morphological traits while Cluster II showed higher performance for root system width, height, and biomass, and primary and secondary cladode numbers. The results indicate that cactus pear accessions have considerable morphological variability and genetic diversity suitable for promotion as alternative fodder resources in semi-arid regions of India.

Study of appropriate planting time and response to agronomic management practices is imperative for the newly introduced cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) into a semi-arid region of India. Responses of cactus pear to agronomic practices (planting time and irrigation and fertilizer application) were evaluated to determine the potential for fodder production and livestock feed in a semi-arid environment of India. We assessed four planting times (February, March, July and October) and two agronomic managements (with and without irrigation and fertilizer application) during 2016–2020 at Jhansi, India. Cactus pear establishment and growth improved with planting time in July and October due to favorable soil moisture and congenial temperature. However, plant height (19 cm) and cladode weight (118 g) were greater in July than in October planting. Nutrient uptake and crude protein contents, however, were higher for the earlier plantings of February and April compared to June and October. Irrigation and nutrients application had little effect on the cactus pear plant growth, except on plant width and cladode length and width. Cactus pear can be planted during July in moderately fertile soils without any agronomic intervention in semi-arid situations of India and has potential as an effective alternative source of forage for livestock during the summer months.

Maintaining and restoring the quality of air, water, and soil is an important task. Soil suffers from several types of contaminants, such as pesticides, polychlorinated hydrocarbons, dyes, heavy metals, and radioactive materials, from different sources. Numerous conventional methods are available with some drawbacks like being expensive, slow, less efficient etc. Nanotechnology promises a potential revolution in approaches to soil remediation. Wonderful chemical and physical properties of nanomaterials provide better options for their use in soil remediation. Different types of nanomaterials such as engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) can be used in various approaches, that is, bioremediation, enhancement of bioremediation and phytoremediation, and catalysis of soil remediation, which in an integrated manner may provide better remediation of contaminated soils as compared to conventional approaches. Use of such ENMs can act as specific remediation to different types of contaminants in soil.

Intensive agricultural practices, relying upon indiscriminate utilization of hazardous agrochemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides, are environmentally harmful and the expansion of such practices to fulfill future needs is not economically viable. There is an increasing global demand for introducing environmentally sound and eco-friendly practices in agriculture, in order to provide effective ways for enhancing crop productivity. Accordingly, the utilization of endophytic bacteria in agriculture proves to be a promising way for sustainable agricultural practices. The plant-associated endophytic microorganisms have promising potential to enhance the crop productivity. Many of the endophytic bacteria are reported to alleviate several biotic and abiotic stresses of plant. They have also been reported to promote the growth of plant through several biochemical and physiological attributes viz., biological nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, and by synthesis of plant-growth-promoting substances. Apart from offering an economical and eco-friendly route for improving the plant nutrient supply and providing protection against varied abiotic and biotic stresses, endophytic bacteria play a potential role in enhancing crop productivity and maintaining soil health in a sustainable manner.

Agrochemicals are used extensively throughout the world. They include pesticides, fertilizers, plant growth regulators, soil conditioners, and chemicals used in animal husbandry. Agrochemicals play an essential role in meeting the demand for food, feed, fuel, and fibers of the increasing population. However, most applied agrochemicals get dispersed in the environment and this affects the environment, in turn affecting human and animal health. Due to changes in the climate, the application of agrochemicals might increase and later their harmful effects on society and the environment may be augmented. Also, actual information on climate change due to agrochemical and environmental interactions is quite limited. Therefore, such interactions have to be addressed appropriately and taken into consideration in the formulation of climate change mitigation and adaptation policies.