Soil degradation is a serious environmental issue that affects agricultural productivity, ecosystem stability and food safety globally. It refers to the decline in soil health that reduces its ability to perform essential ecosystem functions. Physical soil degradation is particularly substantial as it directly impacts soil structure, porosity, water infiltration, aeration and root growth. Processes such as coalescence, slaking, dispersion, aggregate breakdown and consolidation were responsible for weakening soil structure and its stability. Technologies like remote sensing and GIS further support effective monitoring and management. Strategies like integrated conservation and improved land management are important for restoring soil health and ensuring environmental sustainability.

How to Cite

Atwal, A.S., Sandal, S.K., Sharma, R.P., 2026. Management approaches for revitalizing physically degraded soils. Biotica Research Today 8(3), 40-42. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/08.03.26/40-42.

]]> GIS, Organic matter, Soil degradation, Soil structure Popular Article Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 IST Plants are essential for human life as they provide vigor and help mitigate the effects of global warming. Currently, various diseases like leaf spots, blights, rusts, mildews, leaf curling, discolouration, wilting, chlorosis, necrosis, stunted growth and premature leaf drop are affecting plants. These diseases considerably diminish crop yield and quality. Therefore, early revealing of plant diseases is significant in agriculture, as identifying them at a primary stage is important for effective disease management. This article aims to perceive plant leaf diseases using machine learning techniques such as CNN, Random Forest and ResNet-50, which afford faster, more precise and computerized disease finding from leaf images. CNN and ResNet-50 effectively extract composite image features for correct disease classification, while Random Forest provides stable forecasts with reduced over-fitting. These technologies provision early disease diagnosis, reduce pesticide usage and crop losses and support precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices.

How to Cite

Kumar, R., Sonam, K., Shyamrao, I.D., 2026. Plant disease detection using machine learning. Biotica Research Today 8(3), 37-39.

]]> Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Plant disease, Random forest, Resnet-50 Popular Article Sat, 14 Mar 2026 00:00:00 IST Seafood flavour is a complex phenomenon obtained from the interaction of compounds present in fish and shellfish. The prominent flavour bearing compounds in seafood are mainly nitrogenous and non-nitrogenous substances and it varies based on their species, age, sex, diet, season, environment and post-mortem handling. Several processing and storage conditions, like cooking, freezing, smoking, drying and canning, result in the production of desirable and undesirable flavours. The most important flavour substances in shrimp and lobster are bromophenols and geosmin. In order to control the undesirable flavours, the quality of desirable flavours in seafood can be improved by understanding flavour compounds and their interactions, short processing conditions and coating of flavour compounds with encapsulants.

How to Cite

Devadharshini, S., 2026. Flavour Compounds in Fish and Shellfish. Biotica Research Today 8(2), 33-36.

]]> Desirable flavours, Encapsulants, Processing conditions, Seafood Popular Article Sat, 28 Feb 2026 00:00:00 IST Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a long known and the first animal viral disease to be scientifically identified is a highly contagious disease afflicting even-toed animals. FMD virus is the most important pathogen due to its high transmission rate entangled with huge productive and economic losses upon incursion into the nations declared to be disease-free. The exponential growth in global trade has not only been the reason for immense benefits to mankind, but also negatively impacted in catalyzing the spread of different pests and pathogens. Such trade irrespective of the country-barrier has triggered outbreaks of several other emergency animal diseases than FMD, like ASF, CSF, SVD and PRRS in disease-free countries. This nut-shell-compilation focuses on how illegal trades have introduced FMD into disease-free countries. The title has been interwoven with the core narrative of the Indian philosophy that stresses upon a close relationship between action and consequence within the ambit of FMD.

How to Cite

Rout, M., Mohapatra, J.K., 2026. The Doctrine of Karma: Understanding the Close Linkage of Action and Consequence in the Context of Foot-and-Mouth Disease. Biotica Research Today 8(2), 30-32.

]]> FMD, Illegal, Trade, Transmission Popular Article Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 IST Increasing incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) within soil science has resulted in the origin new frontiers on both predictive and prescriptive basis, including management scheduling optimization, soil property forecasting and site-specific recommendations. Hybrid artificial intelligence (HAI) models combine the spatial feature extraction feature of solitary models with the temporal modelling attributes of large-spectrum models. HAI models provide active decision support, recommending fertilizer rates, irrigation schedules and land management practices calibrated to site-specific, climate and crop conditions. Bibliographic analysis of published literature from the past decade reveals a rapidly globalizing research landscape. With higher adaptation rate of AI-based technologies, HAI technologies have shifted from a niche sector to globally embraced, multi-dimensional research enterprise. The convergence of hybrid architectures, explainable modelling frameworks and expanding international collaborations signals that digital soil systems are no longer a theoretical concept but an emerging operational reality.

How to Cite

Lal, A., Sharma, R.P., 2026. Hybrid AI Models for Predictive and Prescriptive Soil Analytics. Biotica Research Today 8(2), 27-29. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/08.02.26/27-29.

]]> Deep learning, Machine learning, Predictive soil management, Prescriptive soil management Popular Article Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 IST The Pharaoh ant, Monomorium pharaonis (L.) is an invasive species of global significance, causing major medical, economic and agricultural problems. It is a highly successful evolutionary model based on polygynous colony structure, cryptic nesting habits, rapid reproduction and highly efficient foraging. This is primarily linked to its indoor pest status but it is also found in greenhouses and storage facilities and causes damaging ecological ripples in agricultural systems. In contrast to beneficial ants living in the soil, M. pharaonis provides little benefit to soil aeration, but instead disrupts crops and is a possible vector for pathogens. In this review, a detailed description of its morphology, distribution and biology is provided and its ecological impact and current management approaches in public health and agricultural environments are discussed.

How to Cite

Nithisha, S., Pirithiraj, U., Ambethgar, V., 2026. Unseen Invaders: The Evolutionary Success and Agricultural Implications of the Pharaoh Ant, Monomorium pharaonis (L.). Biotica Research Today 8(2), 24-26. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/08.02.26/24-26.

]]> Agricultural pest, Invasive species, Monomorium pharaonis, Pest management Popular Article Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 IST Milk consumption patterns are changing worldwide, with plant-based milks derived from cereals, legumes, nuts and seeds increasingly gaining popularity. This shift can be attributed to several factors such as the high prevalence of lactose intolerance which affects half the global population and milk allergies. Furthermore, rising awareness in consumers regarding animal welfare, also the proliferation of veganism and concerns related to environment sustainability are fuelling this revolution. Studies have shown that plant-based milk such as oat milk, soy milk and almond milk requires less water and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to cow’s milk. However, these alternatives lack adequate protein content, bioactive peptides making fortification and processing technologies essentially for improving their nutritional values. In India, coconut milk and almond milk have deep roots in ancient culture. But the high market price of plant-based milk is another challenge for low-income consumers. Therefore, the future of plant-based milk will depend on addressing the nutritional gaps and also making them affordable for all consumers.

How to Cite

Kaith, S., Gautam, A., Chauhan, D., 2026. From Oats to Almonds: The New Face of Plant-based Milk in India and Beyond: Uprise, Significance, Challenges and Opportunities. Biotica Research Today 8(2), 25-27. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/08.02.26/21-23.

]]> Dairy milk, Lactose intolerance, Milk allergy, Veganism Popular Article Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:00:00 IST Fish sanctuaries provide a congenial habitat that supports to fish growth, survival and recruitment. The community-led conservation approach signifies its community participations for conserving fish resources through locally enforced regulations. Evidence from the protected stretches of the River Simsang, Meghalaya shows that the consistent community observations and societal regulations can efficiently restore the declined fish stocks at Wachi-Wari fish sanctuary. The collective decision making and indigenous knowledge systems have contributed significantly to the recovery of ecologically important hill stream fishes (e.g., mahseers), while simultaneously enhancing local livelihood security. The community managed fish sanctuaries in the Garo Hills, Meghalaya illustrates a suitable example of conservation approach for ‘mahseer’ which is relevant to the other parts of the Northeast India and comparability to the other tropical river systems.

How to Cite

Gogoi, P., DebRoy, P., Chanu, T.N., et al., 2026. Community-based Fish Sanctuaries for Fish Conservation in Garo Hills in the North-Eastern Region of India. Biotica Research Today 8(1), 17-20.

]]> Community-managed, Conservation, Fish, Sanctuary Popular Article Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 IST The Green Revolution contributed to food security but quietly dismantled conventional systems: the living relationship between plants and soil microbial communities. Modern cultivars, breed for chemically managed soils have largely lost the ability to cooperate with the biological networks that regulate nutrient cycling, stress tolerance and resistance to diseases. Permaculture has always understood what mainstream agronomy is only beginning to measure that soil is a community, not a substrate and that plants are partners in an underground relations shaped by millions of years of co-evolution. This article addressed a breeding framework along with agronomical aspect grounded in the holobiont paradigm, treating the plant and its micro-biome as a single unit of selection. Interestingly, microbiome-responsive varieties only express their potential where living soil exists precisely where permaculture's design principles become agronomically essential. Integrating ecological breeding with permaculture practice offers a credible pathway toward resilient, low-input food systems.

How to Cite

Mehra, T., Bharti, A., 2026. Permaculture-Oriented Plant Improvement via Microbial Synergy. Biotica Research Today 8(1), 14-16. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/08.01.26/14-16.

]]> Ecological approach, Micro-biome, Permaculture, Sustainability Popular Article Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 IST Chillies imparts flavour and spices to every meal that are unmatched by any other cuisine in the world. In addition to paying an essential role in Indian cuisine, chillies play a significant role in the Indian economy as a cash commodity. Due to the nutritional value and health advantages of chilli, there has been a constant demand as a commercial crop worldwide. A type of chilli, Mundu chilli to be distinctive among chilli types is renowned for its fiery, pungent flavour at Ramanathapuram district, a dry land of Tamil Nadu has achieved GI tag for its uniqueness. It has a great potential to augment the food system and demand in the future for foreign exchange earnings in India, due to its strong flavour, high antioxidant, capsaicin and oleoresin contents.

How to Cite

Sreekumar, G., Thiruppathi, M., Manjusha, M.R., et al., 2026. Phenotypic Characterization of Ramnad Mundu Chilli using IPGRI Descriptors. Biotica Research Today 8(1), 10-13.

]]> Descriptors, Mundu chilli, Quality, Yield Popular Article Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:00:00 IST Food demands are influencing developments in agriculture to address food challenges such as pests, soil erosion and climatic change as the population of the world continues to increase. Nanotechnology, especially phytonanotechnology, has now been used in modern agriculture where nanoparticles (NPs) of 1-100 nm are used to manage crops. The four major types of NPs, metallic, ceramic, carbon and polymer are significant especially the metallic NPs that have antibacterial properties such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, copper and silver. Plant size, chemical composition and plant development are factors that influence the degree to which NPs are effective against pathogens. They act by interfering with cell membrane and generating reactive oxygen species. Carrying out safety research on metal nanoparticles in crops is important. Some of the agricultural applications of nanotechnology encompass nanofertilizers to deliver nutrients efficiently, nano biosensors to monitor the levels of environmental contaminants and nano pesticides as an alternative to conventional pesticides to improve soil fertility and productivity of crops and lengthening of food shelf life.

How to Cite

Dutta, P., Vanlaltani, L., Talukdar, M., et al., 2026. Securing Futures through Crop Protection with Nanotechnology. Biotica Research Today 8(1), 06-09. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/08.01.26/06-09.

]]> Antibacterial, Nanobiosensors, Nanofertilizers, Phytonanotechnology Popular Article Sun, 11 Jan 2026 00:00:00 IST Spirulina is a filamentous multicellular naturally occurring blue-green algae, having a high nutritional value. It has been declared as ‘super food’ of 21^st century by the World health Organization (WHO). It is widely used in pharmaceutical, cosmetics, nutrition and in aquaculture as feed, growth enhancers and immunostimulants. In the field of aquaculture Spirulina platensis is well known for its a rich source of protein. It possesses biologically active compounds like phycocyanin and carotenoids because of which the immunity and overall health status of fish and other vertebrates can be enhanced during stressful condition. Spirulina supplementation in diet of fish and shrimp, can improve their growth and survival rates. Spirulina is also used for water management practices in aquaculture systems across the globe.

How to Cite

Nag, M., Savaliya, B., Kumar, S., 2026. Microalgae Spirulina Supercharging Aquaculture: Harnessing Spirulina’s Role in Combating Abiotic and Biotic Stressors in Aquaculture. Biotica Research Today 8(1), 01-05.

]]> Antioxidant, Microalgae, Phycocyanin, Spirulina Popular Article Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 IST Kerala, despite being a maritime state, possesses 31 reservoirs covering 29,635 ha that remain under-utilized for fisheries. The state has a per-capita fish consumption of 27 kg and 80% of its population depends on fish for their protein requirements. The state’s marine catch of 5.81 lakh tonnes remains insufficient to meet their dietary requirements and hence there is a huge scope for harnessing reservoir resources. Reservoir fisheries in Kerala are marked by legal pluralism involving departments of Forest, Irrigation, Tourism, Water Authority and Fisheries. Fisheries of a reservoir are influenced by two dimensions: (i) indigenous fish diversity, which ensures ecological resilience and (ii) production derived from stocking, which supports livelihoods. A differential management scheme is presented in this article to tackle the legally pluralistic scenario in Kerala reservoirs. Sustainable development requires science-based management, improved monitoring, expansion of cage culture, participatory governance and conservation of native species. These management schemes ensure Kerala’s substantial reservoir potential for supporting fisher livelihoods.

How to Cite

Paul, T.T., Abdulla, T., Sudheesan, D., 2025. Management of reservoirs in a legally plural scenario. Biotica Research Today 7(11), 297-299.

]]> Indigenous fish diversity, Kerala, Reservoir fisheries, Sustainable fisheries management Popular Article Fri, 28 Nov 2025 00:00:00 IST At present condition we are indeed to produce more quantity of rice to face the demand of rice requirement, but cultivation of rice crop and increase the rice production faces several hindrances i.e., pest, diseases, salinity, water deficit, temperature etc. that significantly lower its production and productivity also another drawback of rice cultivation is required of more amount of water. Because of the genomic and bioinformatics advancements several effective new crop improvement techniques are developed, among those, an important one is genome editing technology especially CRISPR/Cas9 technique. By using these, rice plant with desirable traits such as panicle architecture, shoot architecture, grain characters, leaf structure traits etc. can be modified in the positive way to increase the rice grain yield either by editing of direct yield governing parameters or targeting to increase the tolerance mechanisms against different stresses which affect the rice productivity.

How to Cite

Mathivanan, S., Saravanan, N., Deivasigamani, M., Subramanian, S., Devaraj, S., 2025. CRISPR/Cas genome editing to improve rice production and productivity. Biotica Research Today 7(11), 292-296.

]]> Abiotic stress, Gene knocked in/out, Genome editing, Improved rice variety Popular Article Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 IST Adenium obesum, is becoming famous due to its liveliness and sculptural shape. It is a beautiful plant which can survive in a variety of climatic condition adding visual appeal to gardens and indoor areas, making it a favourite option among gardeners. The growing popularity of bonsai culture has also aided Adenium’s appeal, as this age-old craft is ideally suited to its distinctive structure. Adenium presents a substantial business opportunity for farmers and retailers, with growing prospects for both local and worldwide exports. Apart from the ornamental purpose Adenium obesum is an important medicinal plant that exhibits a variety of biological properties (antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial and anticancer).

How to Cite

Sajwan, A., Bora, H., Rao, V.K., 2025. Adenium: An emerging ornamental crop for arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Biotica Research Today 7(11), 289-291.

]]> Adenium, Biological, Bonsai, Desert Rose Popular Article Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:00:00 IST Advanced technologies cast an impact on fisheries with increasing demand as well as concerns about sustainability, which undergo a transformation. Drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), have evolved into a ground-breaking device in fisheries, catering for resource optimisation as well as advanced monitoring. ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore has an intense engagement with drone application for water quality monitoring, water sampling, fish transportation, farm input application along with underwater inspection. These technologies accredit real-time data collection, lower labour costs and time, and improve decision-making towards sustainable resource management.

How to Cite

Das, B.K., Jana, C., Roy, A., et al., 2025. Exploring drone technology towards unmanned and autonomous fisheries operations: ICAR-CIFRI’s initiatives. Biotica Research Today 7(10), 284-288. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/7.11.2025/284-288.

]]> Drone technology, Fish health management, Fish transportation, Inland fisheries Popular Article Sat, 15 Nov 2025 00:00:00 IST Mycotoxins which are considered as toxic secondary metabolites are low weight molecules produced from filamentous fungi. These secondary metabolites if consumed by humans or comes in contact with the feed of animals can be toxic and can even be carcinogenic, neurotoxic, nephron toxic or immunosuppressive. The term mycotoxin was used in 1960 in the UK after the demise of 100,000 turkeys attributed to the use of feed tainted with secondary metabolites from Aspergillus flavus. Warm (25±1 °C) and humid conditions with poor post-harvest handling as well as storage conditions often aggravate the problem.

How to Cite

Baruah, A., Ksoo, I., Mallai, M., Borah, T.R., 2025. Mycotoxins: The invisible enemies from the fungal world. Biotica Research Today 7(11), 281-283. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/7.11.2025/281-283.

]]> Aspergillus, Fusarium, Mycotoxins, Penicillium Popular Article Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 IST Viability of conventional agricultural practices is challenged by the ever-worsening climate crisis. It has created an urgent need to identify candidate crops that can remain stable under extreme environmental fluctuations. While mainstream attention focuses on a limited set of major fibre crops, a lot of underutilized species with significant potential remain largely overlooked by both the scientific community and industries. Sitalpati/Patdoi (Schumannianthus dichotomus), a wetland-adapted perennial from the Marantaceae family, is one such overlooked resources. Despite decades of cultural root in South and Southeast Asian societies, general awareness among people about the potential of this crop is still lacking. Beside its celebrated role in traditional handicraft industries, the species has exceptional ecological and biomedical potential. This paper integrates current scientific knowledge, identifies its manifold value and diverse applications, and positions S. dichotomus as a promising future target for scientific and industrial interest.

How to Cite

Pal, B., Nanda, S., Karmakar, A., 2025. Sitalpati (Schumannianthus dichotomus): An underutilized fibre crop intertwined with heritage. Biotica Research Today 7(10), 277-280. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/7.10.2025/277-280.

]]> Natural fibre, Phytoremediation, Rural livelihood, Traditional handicraft Popular Article Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 IST Fruit flies are quarantine pests and major impediments to the horticulture sector, domestic market and export of fresh fruits. This article examines the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, infestation in mango with reference to its host range, bionomics, seasonal variations with management perspectives to reduce crop losses aimed at sustainable fruit production.

How to Cite

Sankarganesh, E., Sahay, S., Bhowmik, S., Chakravarty, S., 2025. Fruit flies: A pest of concern in mango. Biotica Research Today 7(10), 274-276.

]]> Economics, Fruit Flies, Management, Quarantine Popular Article Sat, 25 Oct 2025 00:00:00 IST This article attempts to analyse the impact of IFS on the livelihood of the farmers of West Garo Hills district (Meghalaya). In West Garo Hills, farmers are mostly small and marginal (<1.08 ha). They practice mono-cropping in low land farming due to unavailability of water supply during winter resulting in low productivity and poor income. Further climate change like erratic rainfall, flash floods, poor economic conditions and low average land holding of the farmers poses challenges to life and livelihoods. To alleviate the detrimental effects of climate change on farmers’ income, diversification and efficient existing resource utilization through IFS can lead to higher and stable income for the farmers. Under NICRA Project introduction of IFS based on the model Fish-Duck-Horticultural crops at Marapara, Smt. Pronilla Sangma’s field have not only led to increased income but also improved livelihoods, food security with environmental sustainability.

How to Cite

Mahanta, J., Singh, M.S., Borah, S., Singh, N.A.K., Chakraborty, P., Singh, B.P., 2025. IFS for diverse and resilient farming system for tribal farmers of West Garo Hills, Meghalaya. Biotica Research Today 7(10), 270-273.

]]> Climate change, Environmental sustainability, Food security, IFS Popular Article Sun, 19 Oct 2025 00:00:00 IST Biosensors are predominant and an innovative tool in agriculture, offering farmers an easy go advance tool to monitor soil and crop health and environmental in real time. They are useful in monitoring vital parameters, including soil water content, nutrient conditions, pest and disease infestations, and taking correct and prompt decisions. Through biosensors, farmers are able to maximize irrigation and fertilizer utilisation, improve pest management and minimize loss of inputs that eventually results in high productivity and sustainability. In contrast to the traditional method of using observation and experience, biosensors provide reliable information that can aid in making decisions based on precision. Not only do they enhance the performance of crops, but also make the soil and the environment healthy by reducing resource wastage. However, the high prices and accessibility are still a problem especially among the small and marginal farmers. Biosensors are expected to be an inseparable component of sustainable and precise farming systems in the near future with the continued technological growth and reduction of the costs.

How to Cite

Asritha, M., Gowtham, G., Sweetha, V., Kotresh, D.J., Banoth, S.K., 2025. Biosensors for sustainable farming: Growing more with less. Biotica Research Today 7(10), 267-269.

]]> Biosensors, Crop health, Precision farming, Smart agriculture Popular Article Sun, 12 Oct 2025 00:00:00 IST Molecular docking is a technique in structural molecular biology and computer-aided drug design that predicts the binding affinity of ligands to the targeted disease-causing proteins. Even after years of progress, there are difficulties in reliably spotting the right ligands and predicting how they fit inside a target’s binding site. The field of drug development is changing rapidly due to introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in molecular docking. This method addresses the limitations in traditional docking. Key improvements include handling large datasets, scoring functions, exploring conformational spaces of ligands and receptors. This article explains how AI has enhanced molecular docking at every step for drug discovery.

How to Cite

Bairi, N., Bhuyan, A.H., Das, P., 2025. Artificial Intelligence-based molecular docking in drug discovery. Biotica Research Today 7(10), 264-266.

]]> Artificial Intelligence, Drug Discovery, Molecular Docking, Virtual Screening Popular Article Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 IST Aeroponics is a cultivation technique for growing crops without using soil. The plant is not inserted into the soil or any other medium like conventional cultivation. In aeroponics, plant is grown in a mist medium. The roots of the plants are exposed to the air or in a container filled with nutrients. The roots get maximum oxygenation and moisture. Aeroponic farming ensures better aeration, effective water usage, less space, time consumption, disease free plant propagation seasonal independence and large scale plant production. The techniques used in aeroponic system are proved successful for the plant such as potato, tomato, leaf crops and microgreens. In Kerala it may use or consume only 95% less water as compared to the normal farming. It also conserves reduced land use and eliminating soil degradation. It also enables pesticide free organic cultivation and maximizes space efficiency. It is ideal for urban and eco-friendly farming.

How to Cite

Parvathi, S.U., 2025. Aeroponics: A modern trend on vegetable farming in Kerala. Biotica Research Today 7(9), 261-263. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/7.9.2025/261-263.

]]> Aeroponics, Growing system, Soilless culture, Vegetables Popular Article Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 IST The water crisis in Bihar is real and aggravating with every passing year. Traditionally flood prone districts of north Bihar, such as Sitamarhi and Darbhanga to name a few, are facing acute water shortages even for drinking and domestic purposes, let alone agricultural needs and that too in the middle of the monsoon. Qualitative water degradation further compounds the problem adding human health dimension to the crisis. Overexploitation of ground water and poor recharge, changing rainfall patterns under a changing climate, neglect of surface water systems and excessive groundwater pollution are the major causes of the water crisis which demand urgent remedial measures. We, in this article, elaborate upon the human, social and agricultural impacts of the water crisis, and propose strategies to ensure mindful utilization of the water resources for securing the future growth prospects of Bihar.

How to Cite

Kumar, M., Tarate, S.B., Rout, R.K., Padala, V.K., Raut, S.M., 2025. Water crisis in Bihar: Causes, impacts and the road to recovery. Biotica Research Today 7(9), 258-260.

]]> Climate change, Groundwater depletion, Groundwater recharge, Rainwater harvesting Popular Article Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 IST Insect associated human diseases are often creating havoc. In the animal kingdom, various structural perfections and protective modifications has enabled insects one of the successful organisms. Paederus dermatitis is caused by a rove beetle, Paederuss spp. also known as Nairobi fly that releases the toxin pederin. The current case report documents an outbreak of such beetles in a multistoried residential society of urban Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. About 5 to 10% of the residents were affected by such dermatitis over multiple floors. The affected open skin areas show symptoms of irregular reddish blisters which often misdiagnosed with other fungal infections. The morphological investigation confirmed the species as Paederuss spp. The current case report focuses on the need for preventive awareness and accurate clinical diagnosis in managing such insect mediated dermatitis.

How to Cite

Routray, S., Jena, S., 2025. Occurrence of Paederus-associated dermatitis in Urban Lucknow: A case report. Biotica Research Today 7(9), 255-257.

]]> Dermatitis, Paederus dermatitis, Pederin, Rove beetle Popular Article Sun, 21 Sep 2025 00:00:00 IST A key element of sustainable, renewable power generation is wind energy, which has notable benefits for improving energy security and fighting climate change. This paper investigates the possible advantages as well as the natural obstacles connected to wind energy use. Wind power's renewable character helps to lower greenhouse gas emissions and encourages long-term cost savings as well as energy independence, job creation and local economic benefits. Though these benefits are clear, efficient use is hampered by issues including the unevenness of wind resources, land use disputes, visual effects, possible negative consequences on animals and questions about operational noise. The study emphasizes how thorough planning, proactive community involvement and ongoing technical innovation help to address these issues. Critically assessing these elements will help policymakers, business leaders and community members to make educated choices that will improve the viability and sustainability of wind energy projects, hence supporting a more robust and clean energy future.

How to Cite

Kiruthika, R., Naziba, T.A., Dhanabalan, S., 2025. Harnessing the power of the wind: Exploring the benefits and challenges of wind energy. Biotica Research Today 7(9), 251-254.

]]> Benefits, Challenges, Power, Wind energy Popular Article Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 IST Examining and ensuring the food transition from production as raw produce to consumption as finished food is essential. This paper examines the Farm-to-Fork (F2F) strategy within the context of the sustainable agricultural value chain approach, which focuses on reducing environmental impact, maximizing economic returns and achieving food security. This study reveals disparities in farm produce prices between producers and consumers, highlighting the need for an ecologically and economically sound, sustainable agricultural value chain approach. Furthermore, this paper highlights the excellence of the F2F strategy in terms of a sustainable value chain over the conventional approach. It depicts the benefits of this strategy to all stakeholders. This paper concludes that it is high time to adopt an integral face-to-face (F2F) sustainable agricultural value chain approach to uphold sustainable agriculture, maintain the nutritional value of food, create employment opportunities and maximize the economic benefits for rural people and local farmers.

How to Cite

Gokul, S., Sabarivasan, R., Dinesh, G.K., 2025. Farm to fork: A sustainable and green agricultural value chain approach. Biotica Research Today 7(9), 248-250. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/7.9.2025/248-250.

]]> Food security, Rural economy, Sustainable agriculture, Value chain Popular Article Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 IST As a key pollinator and ecological indicator, butterflies play a crucial role in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. The paper provides an overall assessment of butterfly and general pollinator diversity in two ecologically distinct environments in Tripura, namely, Oxygen Park, a managed urban green space in Agartala and Silachari, a semi-natural deciduous forest in South Tripura. Field surveys were conducted during the pre-monsoon season (April-May 2024) and recorded 30 butterfly species at Oxygen Park and 30 pollinator taxa at Silachari, including 18 butterfly species. The families of dominant butterflies were Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae. The species diversity indices indicated that heterogeneity of species was higher in Silachari (H′=3.8) as compared to Oxygen Park (H′=3.1). The presence of endemic and specialist species like Cirrochroa aoris and Neptis reducta in forest habitat and presence of adaptable generalists like Danaus chrysippus and Eurema hecabe in urban green spaces falls in line with the expectancy of the species predation and feeding preferences. The results support the complementary role of the two landscapes in sustaining the community of pollinators and promote ecosystem-level conservation across the urban and nature ecosystems. The study also underlines an urgent necessity to develop integrated conservation plans with an eye on landscape level connectivity and pollination services to guarantee ecological resilience in the face of urbanisation and habitat fragmentation.

How to Cite

Bhattacharjee, S., Chakma, J., Mog, T., 2025. Comparative assessment of butterfly and pollinator diversity across urban and semi-natural ecosystems of Tripura, Northeast India. Biotica Research Today 7(8), 237-247. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/7.8.2025/237-247.

]]> Butterfly diversity, Conservation strategy, Pollinator ecology, Semi-natural forests, Tripura, Urban biodiversity Research Article Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 IST Climate change is accelerating carbon cycle disruptions that necessitate exploration of stable terrestrial carbon pools. Phytoliths, silica-based microstructures bring a resilient mechanism for long-term carbon stabilization. These structures encapsulate organic carbon, producing PhytOC, which remains chemically protected within the phytoliths. Unlike volatile soil organic carbon, PhytOC resists microbial decomposition and environmental leaching, contributing to persistent carbon storage in soils and sediments. Phytoliths extraction from soil involves the removal of carbonates and organics through oxidative digestion then to heavy liquid flotation using zinc bromide. Further, centrifugation enables density-based separation, allowing phytoliths to float and be decanted for morphotype characterization. Recent advancement in high-resolution imaging and stable isotopic tracing techniques have improved the characterization of phytolith spatial distribution, carbon occlusion and ecosystem level sequestration potential. Incorporating phytolith dynamics into terrestrial carbon evaluations can improve the estimation of phytolith contributions to global carbon budgets and support nature based climate mitigation strategies.

How to Cite

Nivaethaa, C., Pragasan, L.A., Sreekanth, K.H., 2025. Unlocking the science behind the soil phytolith extraction: New insights on terrestrial carbon reservoirs. Biotica Research Today 7(8), 234-236. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/7.8.2025/234-236.

]]> Carbon sequestration, Heavy liquid flotation method, Soil phytolith, Terrestrial ecosystem Popular Article Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 IST Insects are the most remarkable examples of evolutionary adaptation, with camouflage and disguise which are serving as a key strategy for their survival. Camouflage will be the necessary behaviour and survival strategy for many soft bodied, solitary insects in which insects show cryptic colouration. In contrast, the disguise involves adopting the form of another natural object, such as a leaf, flower or even bird droppings. These adaptive strategies can be seen in stick and leaf insects, grasshoppers, praying mantids, moths and butterflies. The Hawaiian “bone collector” caterpillar shows an unusual camouflage that incorporates remains of prey as a case representing a crucial primary defense mechanism. Other than that, camouflage also supports predatory insects in ambushing unsuspecting victims, thereby contributing to ecological balance. This article mainly focusing on the diversity and significance of insect camouflage and highlights the form, function and survival of the insects by using camouflage as a tool.

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Madarakhandi, V., Santhrupthi, B., Pampareddy., Aramani, K., Tejaswini, A.S., Roogi, A.B., 2025. Masters of disguise: Camouflage in the insect world. Biotica Research Today 7(8), 231-233. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/7.8.2025/231-233.

]]> Camouflage, Defensive strategies, Disguise, Mimicry Popular Article Sat, 16 Aug 2025 00:00:00 IST Using extrusion technology, horticultural waste such as overripe banana, grape pomace and tomato pomace can be converted into puffed snacks. Besides being polyphenols and antioxidants-rich as well as a source of dietary fiber, these wastes enhance extruded food products. Overripe banana and tomato pomace snack foods transform by-products into eco-friendly snacks while adding fiber and bioactive compounds. Additionally, extrusion enhances the nutrient bioavailability, texture and flavor of food while reducing waste, thus supporting a circular economy.

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Joshi, A., Arora, B., Yadav, B.K., Sethi, S., Sindhu, P.M., 2025. Functionalization of puffed extruded snacks through horticultural industrial waste: Transforming waste into value. Biotica Research Today 7(8), 227-230.

]]> Foam-mat drying, Food extrusion, Horticultural waste, Tomato pomace Popular Article Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:00:00 IST Next Generation sequencing techniques were applied in the field of fish and aquatic health management studies over the last few years. The era of genomic sequencing advances from Sanger sequencing to Illumina sequencing, 454 Pyrosequencing, SOLiD Sequencing, Oxford nanopore sequencing etc. with advantage of sequencing of millions of DNA reads in short time with reasonable cost. This tool helps in the detailing of microbial information associated with fish and environmental parameters like fish diseases, host-pathogen interaction studies, pathogen characterization and microbial community diversity assessments. NGS techniques enables novel identification of un-cultivable microbes, bio-prospecting of probiotic and bioremediation bacteria and identification of different strains of pathogens those are difficult to differentiate with conventional diagnostic methods. This information is vital for the development of management strategies in the aquatic ecosystem. This article briefly highlights the application of NGS tools in fish health aspects.

How to Cite

Abdulla, T., Paul, T.T., Sudheesan, D., 2025. Advancing fish health management: The role of next generation sequencing (NGS). Biotica Research Today 7(8), 224-226.

]]> Fish health, Microbiome, Next generation sequencing, Pathogenesis Popular Article Tue, 05 Aug 2025 00:00:00 IST